The publication is reproduced in full below:
HONORING MEGAN PALMER
______
HON. ELISSA SLOTKIN
of michigan
in the house of representatives
Friday, August 12, 2022
Ms. SLOTKIN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Megan Palmer, a young woman whose life, though cut tragically short, was rich, full, and committed to building stronger, healthier communities.
Megan was the substance abuse prevention coordinator with the Livingston County Community Alliance, a county-wide anti-drug coalition dedicated to establishing and promoting healthy community norms concerning the use of alcohol, drugs, and tobacco. She passed away at age 40 on January 8, 2022, one month after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer. While the grief is still raw, it's her life and the work that continues, fueled by her memory and her spirit, that we celebrate today.
Social work is defined as providing services to individuals, groups, and communities by helping people address the problems they face in their everyday lives. This was Megan's chosen profession, but it was also clearly her vocation. From her college years at Western Michigan University, where she volunteered to build homes for low-income families, worked to further her church's mission, and to support social justice causes, to her graduate studies at the University of Michigan, where she took an internship working to end food insecurity, Megan was a social worker before she was a social worker.
While she held different positions in her career, the goal was always the same, as Megan recognized the inherent value of every individual and sought to provide supportive services to help them be their best self. She helped get locally sourced produce on the menu for a juvenile rehabilitation center, counseled teenagers facing homelessness, and devoted the final decade of her life to youth substance abuse prevention.
Rooted in advocacy, constantly committed to staring injustice in the face, Megan was both optimistic and realistic, believing she could make the world around her better, while also meeting people exactly where they were. She brought enthusiasm, humor, and more than a touch of sarcasm to every task, every meeting, and every project she touched. She was beloved by her coworkers, her friends, and her family, and she will never be forgotten.
I offer my condolences to all those who mourn her loss, and on behalf of a grateful community, it is my honor to recognize her story in the People's House. Let it be known to all that Megan Palmer was a social worker who made a difference.
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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 168, No. 135(1), Congressional Record Vol. 168, No. 135(2)
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