[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 128 (Tuesday, September 23, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1826]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO THE CATHOLIC HOSPICE

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                        HON. ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 23, 1997

  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to applaud the efforts of 
the Catholic Hospice, a nonprofit organization located in my 
congressional district, and the commitment and efforts of all of their 
volunteers. The Catholic Hospice is an organization established in 1988 
by the Catholic Archdiocese of Miami, SSI Mercy Health System, and St. 
Francis Medical Health Care Services, whose mission it is to serve the 
physical and emotional needs of terminally ill patients and their 
families of all faiths in Dade and Monroe Counties.
  Among some of the projects Catholic Hospice offers are Camp Hope, a 
3-day intensive therapy session that is offered to children who have 
lost a parent or very close caregiver within the last 12 months; 
bereavement support groups, which are counseling sessions offered to 
adults to assist them to deal with grief and loss; and a volunteer 
program, where volunteers offer their services free of charge to 
patients and families who need basic support through a very critical 
time.
  In recognition of the dedication of their volunteers, the Catholic 
Hospice will be having its annual volunteer luncheon this September 27, 
where their most valuable volunteers will be recognized. It is 
volunteers such as Claire Salichs, Tish O'Neil, Lois Newmark, and Berta 
Friedman, among many others, who have selflessly given their time and 
energy to assist patients as well as their families during these 
difficult periods. It is these same individuals who have been 
indispensable in making the Catholic Hospice a success and whose 
efforts I commend.
  I congratulate the Catholic Hospice for serving so many of south 
Florida's patients and families and I applaud the efforts of all its 
volunteers for their dedication to all of those who are sickly or 
bereaving the loss of a loved one. Death is an experience that is hard 
to bear for everyone and it is the support of the volunteers at 
Catholic Hospice that allow those who have lost a loved one to heal 
more rapidly and enjoy the memories of those who have passed away.

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