[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 104 (Tuesday, July 22, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1463]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO KATHY LIM KO

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. RONALD V. DELLUMS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 22, 1997

  Mr. DELLUMS. Mr. Speaker, on July 17, 1997, Kathy Lim Ko was honored 
by Asian Health Services, Inc., Oakland, for her commitment and 
dedication to providing culturally competent health care to the Asian 
community of the East Bay.
  Kathy Lim Ko was born in Cleveland, OH in 1958, the first of four 
children born to immigrant parents, Dr. Wen Hsiung Ko and Christina Ko. 
Kathy currently resides in Oakland with her husband, Maurice Lim 
Miller, and their two children, Alicia and Nicholas.
  Kathy received her bachelor's degree at Stanford University and went 
on to receive a masters degree in health policy and management at 
Harvard University. Kathy chose to bring her extensive educational 
training from these prestigious universities and her knowledge and 
expertise in health care issues back to the community to advocate for 
accessible and affordable health care services for the underserved 
immigrant population of Alameda County.
  Kathy has worked with Asian Health Services since 1984, first as the 
operations director, then as the program, planning and development 
officer, and finally as the associate director. Having served on the 
executive management staff for the past 13 years, Kathy has been 
personally involved with the growth and development of Asian Health 
Services from $600,000 to $6.5 million annual budget, from 6,000 to 
40,000 patient visits per year, and from 30 to 120 staff members. Kathy 
also directed the $9 million building project, including acquisition, 
financing, design, construction, and the raising of $2.5 million for 
the capital campaign.
  Through Asian Health Services, Kathy has furthered the work of 
community health centers nationally, specifically in providing 
culturally competent medical care to underserved communities. Kathy has 
contributed in developing the operating systems for the clinic, 
accessing financial markets to expand services, designing and having 
built the expanded facility, and developing preventive programs which 
lead the Nation and receive international attention. Kathy attributed 
the success of Asian Health Services to the strong team of dedicated, 
talented, and creative peers with whom she has worked.
  Kathy's dedication to the community reaches beyond the boundaries of 
the workplace as she continually contributes her time, efforts, and 
insights to various community groups. Kathy has taken leadership roles 
within many of these organizations, serving on the board of directors 
of the Oakland Chinatown Chamber of Commerce, the Bay Area Asian Health 
Alliance, and the Asian Women's Shelter. Kathy is also a member of the 
Arts Magnet School Parent Teacher Association and the American Public 
Health Association. Most recently, Kathy has been involved with the Lao 
lu Mien Cultural Association, helping them to establish an 
organizational development plan. Kathy continues to work with this new 
immigrant community group to assist them in creating their own means of 
self sufficiency as well as retaining their cultural identity.
  Kathy plans to continue her work within the community. Her 
professional goals include working to secure resources to further 
develop the community, increasing the community's understanding of its 
rights, creating community institutions, and strengthening the economic 
base from which to further develop. Kathy will continue to provide the 
vision and motivation which are critical to reaching her goals; to 
improve social conditions, empower the community, and incite social 
change.

                          ____________________