[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 31 (Thursday, March 19, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E429]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        IN MEMORY OF OREE WOODS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RALPH M. HALL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 19, 1998

  Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to 
someone I had the privilege of meeting just last November--Oree Lea 
Woods of Sadler, Texas--who died on January 19 at his residence after a 
long illness. He was 79 years old. Although I knew Oree only two short 
months, I felt that I had known him all my life.
  I had the opportunity to visit Oree and his wife, Jean, at the 
invitation of CASHA Resource Home Health Services. This was one of 
several home health visits that I made during our winter break. I have 
long been a supporter of home health services as a member of the Health 
and Environment Subcommittee of the Commerce Committee, and it was good 
to see how much these services meant to Oree. Oree had experienced 
continued health problems during the past two years and had been a home 
health patient for two months when I met him. He and Jean had high 
praise for this service and were grateful to have this health 
assistance during Oree's recuperation period.
  Oree was a World War II veteran and a lifetime member of the Veterans 
of Foreign Wars. He served for three years as Mayor of Sadler, was a 
retired metal lather, and was a member of the First Baptist Church. He 
was married to his wife, Jean, for 57 years, and they have a son, 
Kimsey Woods, a daughter, Karen Whitmire, two grandchildren and three 
great-grandchildren.
  Because of home health care, I was able to visit with Oree and Jean 
in the comfort of their home, where we swapped many stories about 
family, childhood escapades, school, World War II experiences, and 
health care. I came away from our visit feeling that I had truly had a 
chance to get to know Oree--an experience that I think would not have 
been possible outside the home environment.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 
importance of home health services in enhancing the quality of life for 
thousands of patients throughout our nation. As we adjourn today, it is 
a privilege for me to pay tribute to the late Oree Lea Woods--a man who 
lived his life in devotion to his wife, his family, his community, and 
his country.

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