[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 135 (Thursday, September 26, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1699-E1700]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          DISTINGUISHED CAREER AWARD TO KATHERINE C. ILL, M.D.

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. NANCY L. JOHNSON

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 25, 1996

  Mrs. JOHNSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I rise to call attention to 
the distinguished career of Dr. Katherine C. Ill, president of The 
Hospital for Special Care, a rehabilitation and long-term care facility 
in my hometown of New Britain, CT. Doctor Ill's career has truly been a 
personification of public service. For over 30 years, she has served 
The Hospital for Special Care and its community as a strong advocate at 
both the national and local levels, and has developed programs and 
policies that benefit persons with physical disabilities. It is because 
of her tireless dedication and unwavering support for improving the 
quality of life for these special populations that Doctor Ill is to 
receive the American Rehabilitation Association's prestigious Milton 
Cohen Distinguished Career Award this year.
  Doctor Ill has been a visionary leader of The Hospital for Special 
Care since joining the staff in 1964. Her leadership qualities, 
continuous pursuit of excellence, and unshakable integrity were evident 
from the start, and she was named medical director of the hospital in 
1966, and president and chief executive officer in 1986. She has been 
the architect for change throughout her career with the hospital and 
has led its transformation from a long-term chronic disease facility to 
an innovative, state-of-the-art center for rehabilitation, respiratory, 
and medically complex pediatric care.
  Doctor Ill is well respected by her peers and is deeply appreciated 
by the men and women who are cared for at The Hospital for Special 
Care. She is also involved in various community and medical 
associations, with the same

[[Page E1700]]

commitment and dedication to service. In 1990, the Hartford County 
Medical Association not only celebrated its 200th anniversary, it 
elected its first female president, Katherine Ill. She was elected 
president because she embodies the mission of the association: ``to 
promote and represent high quality of care; to endorse and support the 
highest standards of professional integrity; to work with the community 
and its representatives for the improvement of health for all people.'' 
These are the same qualities for which she has been selected to receive 
the Milton Cohen Distinguished Service Award, and why I ask my 
colleagues to recognize this remarkable woman, whom I am proud to call 
a friend.

                          ____________________