[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 99 (Wednesday, July 14, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1544]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 CITIZENS MEMORIAL HEALTH CARE FACILITY

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. ROY BLUNT

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 14, 1999

  Mr. BLUNT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to publicly congratulate the 
board of directors, administrative staff and employees of the Citizens 
Memorial Health Care Facility in Bolivar, Missouri for their 
outstanding vision, dedication and effort in attaining Merit Status in 
OSHA's Voluntary Protection Program. The 111 bed licensed skilled 
nursing facility located in Missouri's Seventh Congressional District 
joins over 400 other businesses in our nation in participation in this 
program. However this recognition is unique because this is the first 
skilled nursing care facility in the Nation to achieve this high level 
of safety compliance.
  The designation was granted after an intensive 15 month-self study by 
employees at all levels followed by a rigorous five day comprehensive 
review visit by OSHA inspectors who found the facility to be fully in 
compliance with all regulations.
  According to OSHA this designation means that the health and safety 
practices and procedures developed by CMHCF are models within the 
nursing care industry, and that the facility is preparing itself for 
even higher levels of health and safety compliance.
  I would also point out that this outstanding achievement is the 
result of a cooperative effort between public and private entities 
rather than a unilateral regulatory effort on the part of a lone 
federal agency. To quote OSHA ``This concept recognizes that compliance 
enforcement alone can never fully achieve the objectives of the 
Occupational Safety and Health Act. Good safety management programs 
that go beyond OSHA standards can protect workers more effectively than 
simple compliance.''
  This commitment to excellence in the care of its patients and 
employees is part of an overall culture of caring that is being 
recognized by a variety of outside agencies. For example, CMHCF is only 
one of seven facilities in the state that the Missouri Division of 
Aging has found to be deficiency free for six years or longer.
  I express my appreciation, and that of all my colleagues, to Board 
President Dave Strader, Executive Director Don Babb, and Facility 
Administrator Jeff Miller for their leadership in bringing this 
national recognition to Bolivar Missouri and the Seventh Congressional 
District.

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