[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 2] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages 2028-2029] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]IN RECOGNITION OF THE FARMINGTON/FARMINGTON HILLS FOUNDATION FOR YOUTH AND FAMILIES ON CELEBRATING ITS 15TH ANNIVERSARY ______ HON. GARY C. PETERS of michigan in the house of representatives Wednesday, February 25, 2010 Mr. PETERS. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the 15th anniversary of the Farmington/Farmington Hills Foundation for Youth and Families. As a Member of Congress, it is both my honor and privilege to recognize this important milestone and pay tribute to this outstanding organization. The Foundation was created in 1995 with the focus of assisting youth through supporting after-school programs. Over the Foundation's 15 years it has awarded almost $500,000 to 37 different non-profit groups. The Foundation has since grown and expanded its focus to support a wide-range of community based programs which work to enrich the lives of Farmington and Farmington Hills residents. Each year the Foundation holds an annual gala to highlight the work of programs it has supported, as well as raise support and awareness for future projects. At its 2009 gala, the Foundation introduced its ``Bountiful Backpack'' program, which arose out of the need to ensure that the substantial number of children who are on free and reduced lunch in our schools continue to have those same healthy nutritional options outside of school. This year the Foundation honors George and Delores Riley, whose philanthropic work has left a profound positive impact on the communities and citizens of Farmington and Farmington Hills. After nearly 30 years of running a highly successful communications business, in 1998 George Riley sold his company and started the Riley Foundation. According to Mr. Riley, he started the foundation to ``really help children.'' Mr. Riley's vision and commitment continues today with the Rileys' children. The Riley Foundation's latest major project created a park in downtown Farmington which has been a haven for children and their families in the Farmington area. Beyond local projects, the Riley Foundation has done extraordinary work for the less fortunate world- wide and has recently partnered with public television to develop a new broadcast center for the Metro-Detroit market. Madam Speaker, I am honored today to recognize the Farmington/ Farmington Hills Foundation for Youth and Families on the occasion [[Page 2029]] of its 15th anniversary and wish them many more years of continued success in creating a stronger Farmington/Farmington Hills community through its support of projects which enrich the lives of area residents. ____________________