[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 84 (Tuesday, June 15, 1999)]
[House]
[Page H4327]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page H4327]]
                     COMMUNITIES CAN NATIONAL AWARD

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from North Carolina (Mrs. Clayton) is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Mrs. CLAYTON. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to announce that Goldsboro, 
located in the First Congressional District of North Carolina, was 
named 1 of 5 communities chosen from a national search to be awarded 
the Community of Excellence Award by Communities Can, a national 
coalition of communities.
  Communities Can is a growing national network of communities 
dedicated to serving all children and their families, including those 
who are at risk or with special needs. Goldsboro has demonstrated many 
abilities in an effort to foster collaboration and cooperation among 
the many public and private programs that can serve and support young 
children and families. They have shown diligence and a serious level of 
involvement with designing and implementing programs that have proven 
beneficial to families.
  Over the years this community has demonstrated an inclusive approach 
to serving children with special needs and an innovative spirit in 
utilizing the complex public program to meet the specific needs of 
their families.
  For all of these reasons Goldsboro, North Carolina was chosen from 
among 48 nominees by members of the Communities Can Team at the 
Georgetown University Child Development Center for Child Health and 
Mental Health Policy.
  There are several key aspects to the kind of quality, service, and 
support for young children and families in this community essential to 
making things work. For instance, in Goldsboro there is one pediatric 
practice that provides a true medical home for almost every child in 
the county. They attend to children with or without insurance, although 
a generous SCHIP program in North Carolina has made arrangements so 
that very few children in the community are without coverage.
  Further, Wayne Action Group of Economic Solvency, which is the 
community action group and Head Start grantee in town, serves as an 
umbrella for a good number of family and child service efforts.
  In addition, a local hospital foundation funds a person who is 
responsible for community organization/grant writing to assist with the 
implementation of ideas from the community planning efforts.
  Mr. Speaker, this is the kind of comprehensive collaboration of 
efforts that completes a full circle enabling children and families to 
effectively identify and remedy the many problems that exist and need 
to be addressed. I am privileged and proud to represent a community 
with such dedication to its children and families.
  Congratulations to Goldsboro, North Carolina. I wish them much future 
success.

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