[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 67 (Tuesday, May 11, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E912]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


 CONGRATULATING GARRET DYKHOUSE ON HIS SERVICE TO THE CHRISTIAN HEALTH 
                              CARE CENTER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARGE ROUKEMA

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 11, 1999

  Mrs. ROUKEMA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate Garret Dykhouse on 
his nine years of service as a member of the Board of Trustees of the 
Christian Health Care Center in Wyckoff, New Jersey. Gary, as he is 
known to his countless friends, is one of the most dedicated public 
individuals in the field of health care. He is stepping down after 
serving the past four years as chairman of the board. His inspirational 
leadership will be missed, but his many accomplishments will never be 
forgotten.
  The Christian Health Care Center is a not-for-profit organization 
that has been serving the elderly and mentally ill for the past 88 
years. Mr. Dykhouse has led the center in maintaining the highest level 
of devotion to the provision of quality care to the center's patients. 
Guiding a joint effort of the governing body and staff, he developed a 
comprehensive mission and vision statement that will guide the center 
into the next century. His efforts have allowed the center to continue 
to grow and expand its ability to assist the most vulnerable 
individuals among the elderly and mentally ill in the communities the 
center services.
  In addition to the intangible qualities of leadership, Mr. Dykhouse 
has supervised the creation of a number of very real, ``bricks and 
mortar'' projects for the center. Among them have been Evergreen Court, 
a 40-unit supportive housing facility for low and moderate income 
seniors; Southgate, a specialized long-term care program for adult 
dementia patients who require more care than a nursing home can provide 
but do not need to be in a psychiatric hospital; and the soon-to-open 
The Longview, the first non-profit assisted living residence in Bergen 
County. In addition, the center's Heritage Manor nursing home has 
received a perfect score from the state Department of Health and Senior 
Services, while the Ramapo Ridge Psychiatric Hospital has seen its 
accreditation rise to the level of ``accreditation with commendation.'' 
It is important to note that all of these accomplishments have come 
while Mr. Dykhouse has served above and beyond the call of duty as a 
member of the Board of Trustees.
  In addition to his work at the Christian Health Care Center, Mr. 
Dykhouse and his wife, Raeann, are long-standing volunteers with the 
American Red Cross. Mrs. Dykhouse's work with the Red Cross began in 
1984 in response to a call for volunteers to aid flood victims in 
Wayne. Five years later, both she and Mr. Dykhouse officially enlisted 
in the National Disaster Program. They regularly travel to the sites of 
natural disasters throughout New Jersey and across the United States to 
assist with relief efforts--including fires, floods, earthquakes, 
tornadoes and ice storms--often for weeks at a time. In fact, they were 
honored earlier this month as ``Outstanding Community Volunteers'' by 
the Bergen Crossroads Chapter of the Red Cross.
  Mr. and Mrs. Dykhouse have also been members of the Wyckoff Volunteer 
Ambulance Corps, holding every officer's position in the corps between 
the two of them. They are very active members of Faith Community 
Christian Reformed Church in Wyckoff. Mr. Dykhouse has also been a 
member of the Board at the Eastern Children's Retreat in Wyckoff and 
the Eastern Christian School Association in North Haledon.
  Aside from his volunteer activities, Mr. Dykhouse spent 41 years with 
the Royal Insurance Co. before his retirement in 1989 as a top 
executive. He is a graduate of the College of Insurance in New York, 
and taught insurance both there and at Seton Hall University. He is a 
former chairman of the Inland Marine Underwriters Association and a 
member of numerous other insurance trade associations. He and Mrs. 
Dykhouse have three sons, David, Larry and Tom, and 11 grandchildren.
  Mr. Dykhouse is truly an inspiring example of volunteer efforts that 
are totally unselfish and completely devoted to improving the lives of 
others. Mr. Dykhouse lives his life in a manner that reflects his 
obedience to the Lord's command to ``love your neighbor as you love 
yourself.'' I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join 
me in offering our thanks and congratulations to this extraordinary 
gentleman.

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