[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 15 (Monday, February 5, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E147-E148]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            SALUTING AWARD WINNER PEARL R. ``PEGGY'' FIELDS

                                 ______


                            HON. JACK FIELDS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, February 1, 1996

  Mr. FIELDS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I was remiss last year in not 
taking time to salute a remarkable woman, Pearl R. ``Peggy'' Fields, 
who was honored with the Arthritis Foundation-Louisiana chapter's 
Humanitarian Award last June. I am proud to say that Peggy is my aunt, 
and I want to take a moment today to 

[[Page E148]]
salute her not only for this latest honor, but for her long and 
distinguished record of service to her community.
  Peggy was born Pelagia Rosko in Ohio, and entered the convent at age 
13 as Sister Maria Consolata. She remained at the convent until, at age 
37, she moved to Houston and changed her name to Pearl Rosko. She 
married James C. Fields and moved with him to Louisiana. During this 
time, she received her R.N. degree at the Providence Hospital School of 
Nursing, and her B.S.N. degree and B.A. degree at the Sacred Heart 
School of Health Administration at Tulane University.
  Peggy always loved teaching, and she had the opportunity to educate 
young people during her 15 years as an elementary school teacher. She 
also always loved nursing, and she served as a nurse for 20 years in 
Houston, at Our Lady of Lake Medical Center in Baton Rouge, and at 
Ascension General Hospital, where she served as director of nurses and 
as a private nursing consultant.
  In the 1970's, Peggy opened and sold the first home health agency in 
Baton Rouge, which is now known as Capitol Home Health. She also owned 
several businesses in Ascension Parish, and, in 1989, she opened 
Ascension College of Gonzales, where she continues to serve as chairman 
of the board.
  In addition to being active in her church (St. John the Evangelist) 
where she is the organist, Peggy has been active in many organizations 
in her community. She helped found and lead the Taxpayers for Ascension 
General; she served as president of her local art guild; and she served 
as president of her fellowship center.
  The recipient of the 1994 National Volunteer Service Citation, Peggy 
continues to serve on the state board of directors of the Arthritis 
Foundation. Previously, she received the 1993 Employer of the Year 
Award from the Baton Rouge Catholic Diocese's senior employment 
division. She has been named Businesswoman of the Year and, in 1995, 
was awarded the Research Advocate Award from the National Arthritis 
Foundation.
  Mr. Speaker, I may not be totally impartial when it comes to Peggy 
Fields. But I happen to believe that she represents the kind of 
volunteerism and private-sector assistance that so many of us believe 
in. Her tireless efforts over many years in so many different ways to 
help her neighbors and her community have inspired all who know her, 
and have given all of us an example of what each of us can do to make 
our communities better places. I know I speak for the thousands of men, 
women, and children who have benefited from her work and her compassion 
when I say, thank you to my aunt, Pearl R. ``Peggy'' Fields.
  Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you again, Aunt Peggy.

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