[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 10 (Tuesday, February 8, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E83]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO JOSEPHINE BOLUS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 8, 2000

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the 
accomplishments of Ms. Josephine Bolus. As a registered nurse (RN) in 
New York, she has served her community well.
  Ms. Bolus started her community activities during the ``Korean 
conflict'', as a member of the Civilian Air Patrol, monitoring the New 
York City skies for foreign aircraft. She then became a volunteer for 
the American Red Cross; and later became a licensed practical nurse, 
under former President Kennedy's educational initiatives. Deciding to 
further her education, she attended New York City Community College, 
and graduated in 1971 with a degree in nursing. After graduation she 
started working at Brooklyn's King's County Hospital Center, and 
remained there until her retirement in December of 1997.
  During those 27 years, Josephine continued her education and with the 
combined help of a new program offered by King's County Hospital and 
the State University Hospital of Brooklyn, she became a pediatric nurse 
practitioner in 1975. She testified before New York Senate Committees 
on the need for prescriptive privileges for nurse practitioners, as 
well as the need for New York State Nurse Practitioner Certification. 
Both issues were enacted into law by the New York State Legislature. As 
a member of the American Nurse Association, she also serves as the 
congressional liaison to the 10th congressional district.
  She is an active member of the New York State Nurses Association 
[NYSNA] which represents over 35,000 RNs. After serving in numerous 
positions, she now serves on the NYSNA Board of Directors and is vice-
chair of the NYSNA Political Action Committee. Josephine is also a 
member of the Women's Caucus, a volunteer organization of women who 
work on Brooklyn community services projects; the Brooklyn College 
Alumni Board of Directors; and the Dr. Susan Smith McKinney Community 
Advisory Board. She is also on the board's health committee and does 
special projects for New York State Senator John Sampson.
  Depending on the day of the week, Ms. Bolus can be found volunteering 
in my office, as well as the offices of New York State Assemblyman 
Frank Seddio, and the campaign of Hillary Rodham Clinton. In her 
``spare time'' she has organized health fairs, CPR courses, tennis 
lessons for asthmatics, and diabetic counseling groups. She has also 
created unique cloth dolls, which she exchanges for donations to her 
church.
  Josephine is the recipient of several awards, including the 1999 
NYSNA Delegate Assembly, the Central Baptist Church's ``Humanitarian 
Award'', and the Maggie Jacobs RN Service Award. She has conducted 
research in collaboration with Tuft's University School of Medicine and 
the State University Hospital of Brooklyn. Ms. Bolus is married to 
Henry A. Bolus, and they have two children.
  It is an honor to pay tribute to community leaders like Ms. Josephine 
Bolus.

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