[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 53 (Tuesday, April 29, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E781]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      IN RECOGNITION OF THE VOLUNTEERS OF NEWTON MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARGE ROUKEMA

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 29, 1997

  Mrs. ROUKEMA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to mark the celebration of National 
Service and Volunteer Week and to offer my special thanks to the 
volunteers of Newton Memorial Hospital in Newton, NJ. Thousands of 
people from all walks of life have shared both their expertise and 
compassion with patients and patients' families over the years. 
Volunteers who support and supplement the professional staffs are an 
integral part of the success of Newton Memorial Hospital. Their 
services are exceptional by any standard of measurement.
  There are nearly 400 adult and junior volunteers working throughout 
the hospital, giving more than 52,000 hours of their time each year. 
These are impressive numbers for such a relatively small community. No 
price tag can be placed on their services. But at even the lowest 
estimate, their services would amount to more than $264,000 a year if 
these dedicated individuals had to be paid. Volunteers provide cheerful 
visits to patients, often bringing them reading materials or snacks. 
Volunteers staff the food, gift and thrift shops, help with patient 
charts, serve meals, assist in admitting and discharging patients and 
read and write letters to patients.
  We should pause to recognize the invaluable contribution volunteers 
make to our hospitals, schools and other organizations throughout our 
communities. President Clinton said it well in his proclamation 
declaring National Service and Volunteer Week:

       Volunteerism is a vital force in American life, helping 
     build a stronger sense of community and citizenship and 
     engaging Americans to meet the obligations we all share. 
     Whether tutoring children, mentoring teens, renovating 
     housing, restoring public parks, responding to natural 
     disasters, or caring for aging parents and grandparents, 
     those who serve and volunteer strengthen our communities for 
     America's future.
       Citizen service reflects one of the most basic convictions 
     of our democracy: that we are all responsible for one 
     another. It is a very American idea that we meet our 
     challenges not through big government or as isolated 
     individuals, but as members of a true community, with all of 
     us working together.

  We in Sussex County join with all Americans as we take pride in 
knowing our tradition of service is being preserved and expanded. As we 
recognize the devoted service of our Nation's citizens, we must 
continue to foster the spirit of volunteerism. Working together, we can 
respond to our shared problems and build a better future for the 
generations to come.
  National Service and Volunteer Week is a time to celebrate the 
American spirit of service and volunteerism and a time to encourage 
citizens to use their individual talents to serve the common good. 
During this week and throughout the year, let us salute all of those 
here at Newton Memorial Hospital who devote their time, talents, and 
energy to improving our communities and servicing Sussex County.

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