[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 141 (Friday, October 9, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1988]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


             LOUISE EPPERSON TO CELEBRATE HER 90TH BIRTHDAY

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                          HON. DONALD M. PAYNE

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 8, 1998

  Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask my colleagues here in the 
U.S. House of Representatives to join me in recognizing a very special 
person who will be honored at her 90th birthday celebration later this 
month, Ms. Louise Epperson.
  Friends and family will gather at Clinton Avenue Presbyterian Church 
in Newark, New Jersey to pay tribute to this woman who has given so 
much to our community. I feel fortunate to have forged a friendship 
with Ms. Epperson, whom I have come to know as a wonderful, caring 
person and tireless community activist. Her character and concern for 
those around her are summed up in the words she holds as her motto and 
her mission: ``To make my life a source of inspiration to others, and a 
part of tomorrow's history. Never to look down on anyone unless it is 
to give them a hand to lift them up.''
  Among her many accomplishments, Ms. Epperson was named Auxilian of 
the New Year for her 25 years of service to the University of Medicine 
and Dentistry of New Jersey's University Hospital Auxiliary. This award 
honored Ms. Epperson as an individual who demonstrated outstanding 
leadership skills, worked to improve the health of the community and 
contributed to the advancement of the hospital and its auxiliary. A 
champion of health issues in her Central Ward neighborhood, Ms. 
Epperson took up the cause of patient advocacy in her role as patient 
ombudsman at Martland, which is now called University Hospital, over 
two decades ago. She became a founding member of the Martland Hospital 
Auxiliary, where she put innovative ideas into action. Among the 
programs the auxiliary sponsored were a lead poisoning awareness 
program in local grammar schools, a ``Careermobile'' which traveled to 
local high schools to educate young people about health care careers, 
the purchase of a van to transport patients to the hospital for 
outpatient services, nurse education programs, and furnishing a 
pediatric playroom and a bereavement room. In 1998, she was honored by 
the city and inducted into the Newark's Women Hall of Fame.
  Ms. Epperson is an inspiration to us all as she continues to remain 
active in numerous organizations, including the Newark Senior Citizens 
Commission, the Newark Affirmative Action Committee, the Black 
Presbyterians United, Golden Heritage, the NAACP, and the League of 
Women Voters. Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues here in Congress join 
me in wishing Ms. Epperson a happy birthday and continued success and 
happiness.

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