[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 138 (Thursday, September 7, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Pages S12830-S12831]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


        HONORING LOWELL C. KRUSE AS RECIPIENT OF THE HOPE AWARD

  Mr. ASHCROFT. Mr. President, today I would like to congratulate a 
Missourian who has dedicated his life to helping others. He has spent 
his entire career in the medical field, not as a doctor, but as someone 
just as dedicated and just as committed to service. Mr. Kruse is soon 
to accept the Hope Award, the highest honor bestowed by the Multiple 
Sclerosis Society. He has served as a hospital administrator, vice 
president, and president; but throughout, Mr. Kruse has never forgotten 
those who are less fortunate.
  Mr. Kruse was born on February 9, 1944, in the small midwestern town 
of Lake City, IA. He earned a bachelor's degree in business 
administration and psychology from Augustana College in Sioux City, SD, 
and went on to earn his master's degree in hospital administration from 
the University of Minnesota. Mr. Kruse started his career first as an 
assistant administrator at the St. Barnabas Hospital in Minneapolis, 
MN, then became an associate administrator at the Metropolitan Medical 
Center in Minneapolis where he remained for 7 years serving as the vice 
president of community operations.
  In 1977, Mr. Kruse assumed the responsibilities as president and CEO 
of the Park Ridge Hospital and Nursing Home in Rochester, NY, and later 
president and CEO of Upstate Health System, Inc. in Rochester. In 1984, 
Mr. Kruse returned to his roots in the Midwest, serving as the 
president and CEO 

[[Page S 12831]]
of Heartland Health System in St. Joseph, MO, for the past 10 years.
  While Mr. Kruse has continued to strive for success, he has never 
turned his back on others in his community. In New York, he was a 
member of the Greater Rochester Area Citizens League Board, the United 
Way, and the board of directors of the Rochester Area Career 
Educational Council. In Missouri, he has served as chairman of the St. 
Joseph Development Corp., as well as chairman of the St. Joseph Chamber 
of Commerce, and is currently a fellow at the American College of 
Health Care Executives. These are just a few of the many contributions 
Mr. Kruse has made to fulfill his commitment and dedication to the 
communities in which he has lived.
  Mr. Kruse has been the recipient of numerous awards for his devotion 
to community service. In 1970, he was listed as one the outstanding 
young men in America. In 1976, Mr. Kruse was awarded a Distinguished 
Service Award and honored as one of 10 outstanding young Minnesotans. 
In 1992, Mr. Kruse received the Midland Empire Arthritis Center's 
William E. Hillyard Jr. Humanitarian Award.
  Throughout his career, Mr. Kruse has dedicated his life to helping 
and inspiring those around him. It is clear from his achievements that 
he is truly committed to making a difference in the lives of many. Mr. 
Kruse is a great humanitarian who has given his time graciously, caring 
for those who have been stricken by life threatening diseases. I am 
grateful for his service and commend him for his dedication to helping 
others, not just in Missouri, but across America.


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