[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 63 (Wednesday, May 14, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E922]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO DON FONTANA

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. ZACH WAMP

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 14, 1997

  Mr. WAMP. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to take a few moments to acknowledge 
Don Fontana, an outstanding leader in the mental health community from 
the Third District of Tennessee. Don recently retired as chief 
executive officer of Volunteer Behavioral Health Care System. His 
contributions to this organization and to the community and State, are 
many.
  I'd like to highlight just a fraction of Don's accomplishments. It 
was with great vision as the CEO of Johnson Mental Health Center, that 
Don saw the future and the necessity for community mental health 
centers to meet the challenges of managed care.
  Under Don's leadership, several community mental health centers 
joined together and the Volunteer Behavioral Health Care System was 
created. Today, the center consists of Johnson Mental Health Center, 
Hiwassee Mental Health Center, and Plateau Mental Health System.
  Don has served not once, but twice as the president of the Tennessee 
Association of Mental Health Organizations, as well as a task force 
member for Children's Services. He has extended behavioral health care 
services to 27 counties within Tennessee. In addition, one of the most 
notable contributions he has made is the establishment of safe, 
supervised housing for severely mentally ill adults where 75 of our 
community members live.
  Mr. Fontana's commitment to affordable mental health services for 
those who could not otherwise afford them has made him a giant in the 
mental health community. His extraordinary service and commitment of 19 
years will be missed, but because of his leadership and guidance the 
programs he has established in our community will continue.
  Personally, I worked with Don years ago as a volunteer member of the 
advisory board of the Joe Johnson Mental Health Center. I know first 
hand of his true commitment to those in need.
  I am proud to have the opportunity to publicly acknowledge Don 
Fontana's fine service in the mental health field and wish him well in 
the future.

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