[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 147 (Tuesday, November 29, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: November 29, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                       TRIBUTE TO MARIE KURIHARA

                                 ______


                         HON. NORMAN Y. MINETA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 29, 1994

  Mr. MINETA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Marie 
Kurihara, who retired this year as chief nurse at the San Francisco 
Veterans Affairs Medical Center after 28 years of service to the VA and 
a distinguished 44-year career in nursing.
  Over the years, Ms. Kurihara has continuously given generously of 
herself to her community and her country through her nursing skills and 
expertise. Graduating from Cornell University/New York Hospital with a 
bachelor of science degree, she went on to the Teachers' College of 
Columbia University where she received her masters degree in nursing. 
She completed further graduate studies at the University of California, 
San Francisco, School of Nursing, where she received her accreditation 
as a clinical nurse specialist.
  During her notable career, Ms. Kurihara served as a lecturer and 
published faculty member at Cornell University and the University of 
California, San Francisco. She has also taught at the University of 
Southern California and the University of California Irvine.
  Perhaps one of the most influential experiences in her life occurred 
during World War II, when Ms. Kurihara, was sent to an internment camp 
in Poston, AZ. She was 1 of 120,000 Americans of Japanese ancestry who 
were unconstitutionally interned during World War II.
  Despite this attack on her civil liberties and this questioning of 
her patriotism, Ms. Kurihara showed her fidelity to her country by 
dedicating her career to aiding those who fought to preserve the 
freedom of the United States. She served in nursing executive positions 
at the VA medical centers in both Spokane, WA and Martinez, CA, and 
later moved to the San Francisco VA Medical Center, where she served as 
chief nurse for over 16 years.
  Her proficiency and dedication to her work are evident through the 
many honors she has received, including the 1983 VA Administrator's 
Hands and Hearts Award, the first Western Regional Director's Award for 
Excellence in Nursing, the 1988 Bay Area Federal Employee of the Year 
Award in the management category, and most recently, the 1993 
performance commendation from the VA Assistant Chief Medical Director 
for Nursing Programs.
  Ms. Kurihara has earned the respect and admiration of her colleagues 
both at the VA and in the academic circle, where she has unselfishly 
reached out to the university system to enhance the affiliation and 
partnership between the San Francisco VA Medical Center and California 
University Schools of Nursing. She has also given of her personal funds 
to establish a graduate nursing scholarship at the University of 
California, San Francisco.
  Presently, Ms. Kurihara continues to generously contribute to her 
community and her profession by volunteering at the local nursing home 
community and in nursing research endeavors at the San Francisco VA 
Medical Center.
  Mr. Speaker, I would ask that you and my colleagues join me in 
commending and celebrating the many contributions and achievements of 
this great American.

                          ____________________