[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 44 (Tuesday, April 21, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E609-E610]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HEALTH ADVOCATES HONORED

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DALE E. KILDEE

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 21, 1998

  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of a wonderful 
organization devoted to improving the quality of life in Michigan and 
throughout the country, the American Lung

[[Page E610]]

Association. On April 23, the American Lung Association of Michigan, 
Genesee Valley Region, will hold their 15th Annual Health Advocate 
Awards Dinner, where they will honor State Representative Bob Emerson 
as their Individual Health Advocate and Hurley Medical Center as 
Corporate Health Advocate for the year 1997.
  The Association's criteria for Individual Health Advocate includes a 
minimum of 5 years on a health association board or participation in a 
health related activity, and outstanding contributions to health 
education and promotion of research. State Representative Bob Emerson 
of Flint serves as a shining example of this commitment to health 
issues.
  Bob Emerson was first elected to the Michigan House of 
Representatives in 1980, and has been reelected to six subsequent 
terms. He currently serves on the House Appropriations Committee, 
Chairing the School Aid and Department of Education Committee and is 
Vice Chair of the Community Health subcommittee. As past Chair of the 
Public Health Subcommittee, Bob was instrumental in making many strides 
in the areas of state public health, including the designation of 
prenatal care as a basic health care service and the funding of vital 
local health services. Outside of the state capitol, Bob has been 
involved in such groups as the Greater Flint Health Coalition, and was 
a co-founder of the Crim Road Race, Inc., a non-profit organization 
that has raised more than one million dollars for the Michigan Special 
Olympics.
  For the honor of Corporate Health Advocate of the Year, The American 
Lung Association has listed as requirements a definitive plan to 
promote lung health in the workplace, demonstration of commitment to 
social responsibility on the part of its employees, a positive display 
of financial support, and a dedication to improving the quality of life 
for the citizens of the region. Hurley Medical Center has consistently 
proven itself worthy of this distinction.
  One of the largest hospitals in the state of Michigan, Hurley Medical 
Center employs approximately 2,500 employees and 475 attending 
physicians who serve more than 20,000 patients annually. In addition, 
the Center also operates as a teaching hospital of Michigan's State 
University's College of Human Medicine, thereby helping cultivate the 
next generation of medical professionals.
  Mr. Speaker, since 1904, the American Lung Association has provided 
an invaluable resource to the country for information and research of 
lung disease and health. I commend the Association for recognizing and 
honoring Representative Bob Emerson and Hurley Medical Center as their 
Health Advocates of the Year. I ask my colleagues to join me in 
congratulating Representative Emerson and Hurley Medical Center.

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