[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 61 (Thursday, May 14, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E867]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE VISITING NURSE ASSOCIATION OF NORTHERN NEW 
                                 JERSEY

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. RODNEY P. FRELINGHUYSEN

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 14, 1998

  Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 100th 
Anniversary of the Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey.
  The Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey, officially 
incorporated in 1916, traces its roots to the Female Charitable Society 
established in Morristown in 1813. The Society was established by women 
who felt obligated to provide coal, food and clothing to poor 
individuals in northern New Jersey, and, by 1898, also provided nursing 
services. The VNA was founded on the enduring civic and charitable 
virtues embodied by the Society, and today continues their long 
tradition of serving the community.
  In the early 1900's, Morris County, like many other areas in the 
country, experienced a wave of immigration that brought with it many 
challenges in providing health outreach services. To respond more 
effectively to these changing social conditions, the VNA hired its 
first full-time nurse in 1914, Ms. Mable R. Saulpaugh, who went on to 
make 771 house calls without the use of a car. By 1918, the VNA opened 
up its first day care center for expectant mothers, and, later that 
same year, purchased their first automobile, which greatly increased 
its sphere of influence.
  During the 1920's and 1930's, the VNA established several key 
outreach tools to ensure that a broad spectrum of individuals were 
aware of the health services that the VNA could provide to them. Most 
popular among these was the Well Babies and Children parade, where 
prizes were awarded for the healthiest-looking baby and toddler. 
Additional tools included going directly into the schools and following 
up with home visits for children at risk of disease. Indeed, the VNA's 
prodigious outreach work served as an impetus for hospitals in the area 
to establish their own outpatient departments.
  By 1936, the VNA's outreach methods provided for considerable success 
in fighting Tuberculosis, and played a major role in reducing it from 
the number one cause of death to the eighth in Morris County. During 
World War II, and in ensuing years, the VNA focused on increasing its 
staff size, so as to widen its ability to serve the community. By 1960, 
the VNA had expanded to eight nurses serving 37 towns in Morris County, 
with a total budget of $60,000. Less than twenty years later, the VNA 
had revenues in excess of $1 million, and today boasts a staff of 400 
employees offering comprehensive health services to the Morris County 
area.
  Mr. Speaker, throughout its long history, the Visiting Nurse 
Association of Northern New Jersey has never lost sight of its crucial 
role in providing superior home health care to those in need. As the 
VNA today deals with the extraordinary challenges of meeting the 
specific needs of those suffering from AIDS and other diseases, I ask 
you, Mr. Speaker, and my colleagues, to join me in commemorating the 
Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey on this special 
anniversary year.

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