[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 135 (Thursday, October 7, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2061-E2062]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        RECOGNIZING RILEY HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN'S 75TH BIRTHDAY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JULIA CARSON

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 7, 1999

  Ms. CARSON. Mr. Speaker, it is with a great deal of pleasure that I 
rise today to celebrate Riley Hospital for Children's 75th birthday.
  Founded in 1924, Riley Hospital is named after the famous Hoosier 
poet, James Whitcomb Riley. Upon his death in 1916, Mr. Riley's 
heartfelt love for children inspired his friends to decide that a 
children's hospital would be a perfect memorial for Mr. Riley. More 
than 40,000 Hoosiers gave over 1.2 million dollars to build the James 
Whitcomb Riley Hospital for children.
  As the New York Times observed on October 10, 1924, ``Indiana has 
made her monument [to Riley] one of ministry rather than of mourning . 
. . The institution which bears his name will do much to make the 
children of Indiana what he imagined them to be. Indiana has made, as 
human monuments go, the perfect memorial to her poet.''
  Since opening its doors on October 7, 1924, Riley Hospital for 
Children has cared for thousands of children from the City of 
Indianapolis, the State of Indiana, and indeed across the country. 
Annually, there are more than 135,000 patient visits, including 7,100 
admissions and more than 128,000 outpatient visits. Riley Hospital 
cares for children from each of Indiana's 92 counties. In 75 years, no 
Hoosier child has been turned away because of an inability to pay.
  To continue to meet the needs of children and families, Riley 
Hospital has grown as it spanned the decades of the 20th century. 
Today, Riley Hospital is one of the ten largest children's hospitals in 
the nation, and is Indiana's only children's hospital located on a 
university campus. It is also one of the two most care-bedded 
children's hospitals in the United States.
  As it has grown, Riley Hospital has endeavored to maintain a standard 
of excellence respecting patient care. In 1971, Indiana's only 
pediatric burn unit opened at Riley Hospital. In 1989, Riley Hospital 
performed Indiana's first newborn and infant heart transplants. Eighty 
to Ninety percent of Indiana's children with cancer are treated at 
Riley Hospital's--and Indiana's only--Children's Cancer Center. In 
addition, Riley Hospital houses the only pediatric dialysis center and 
pediatric stem cell transplant unit in the State of Indiana.
  Though the medical technology at Riley Hospital is remarkable, it is 
the caring staff that the children and their families depend on to see 
them through difficult circumstances and turbulent times. Whether it be 
a doctor, nurse, therapist, social worker, teacher, administrative 
staff or maintenance worker, their professionalism is unparalleled.
   Mr. Speaker, the children, families, and communities of Indiana have 
been enriched by the life-saving work of Riley Hospital for Children. 
As we approach the threshold of the

[[Page E2062]]

21st Century, I am confident that this wonderful tribute to James 
Whitcomb Riley will continue to make a brighter horizon for our 
children.

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