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Rep. Jim Gerlach

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Tamara C. Cansler on the occasion of being honored with the Sixth Annual Rebecca Lukens Award by The Greystone Society. As an outstanding candidate for this recognition, Tamara was chosen for this honor as she has demonstrated the same love of community as the award's namesake, Rebecca Lukens.

Tammy began her career as a high school and elementary school teacher in South Carolina, but moved with husband, Dale, to Pennsylvania where she took positions with Lukens Steel and Merck Pharmaceuticals. Employed by Merck from the mid 1970s to 1985, Tammy served as the first female production supervisor in the company's history. She then started her own development company, Cansler Investment Group, and focused on creating clean and safe living environments for underprivileged adults in the City of Coatesville.

Over the years, Tammy's efforts have resulted in the creation of successful complexes such as Coatesville's North Second Avenue Redevelopment Project, Penn's Crossing Townhomes, and the Brandywine Health Center. Such projects are examples of entire communities established for the benefit of economically-challenged adults, helping to give these folks more secure, more attractive places to live. Philabundance and others donate food to these complexes, and quality used clothing from Freedom Village Senior Living Community is sold to the residents for a very nominal fee.

Mr. Speaker, in light of her years of contributions to the community and litany of outstanding accomplishments, I ask that my colleagues join me today in recognizing Tamara C. Cansler on the occasion of her being honored with The Greystone Society's Rebecca Lukens Award.