[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 14 (Thursday, February 1, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E91]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     RECOGNIZING BETTY FITZPATRICK

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. THOMAS G. TANCREDO

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 31, 2001

  Mr. TANCREDO. Mr. Speaker, today, I am pleased to recognize Ms. Betty 
Fitzpatrick from Evergreen, Colorado, who was selected by the National 
Association of School Nurses (NASN) as the School Nurse Administrator 
of the year for 2000. Recently, NASN hosted an event for Ms. 
Fitzpatrick on Capitol Hill to honor her, and to applaud her for her 
excellent work on behalf of the public school children in my district.
  As a former public school teacher, I had first-hand experience in 
seeing the hard work of our Nation's school nurses. All teachers know 
that being a good student require a degree of good health, and I 
appreciate the work of Ms. Fitzpatrick in organizing health efforts for 
the children in my district and wish to extend my personal 
congratulations.
  It is important to note that the work of many school nurses, like Ms. 
Fitzpatrick, goes beyond the assistance they provide directly to 
students. They serve as mentors to their colleagues, and serve an array 
of needs ranging from medical ailments to counseling for a student who 
needs a listening ear. Betty Fitzpatrick, especially, has participated 
in training for and as a consultant to school nurses, to assist them in 
developing crisis plans, and in dealing with tragic situations.
  Ms. Fitzpatrick has spent her personal and professional life 
advocating children's physical and mental health while supporting 
school nursing. For the past 11 years she has served as the Director of 
Health Services for all 136 Jefferson County Schools in Golden, 
Colorado. She has been the president and treasurer of her state 
organization, a prolific author, an advocate for legislation, a grant 
writer and a national presenter.
  The NASN newsletter reported that aside from the day to day 
challenges of being a school nurse administrator, Ms. Fitzpatrick had 
the great misfortune of dealing with an incomprehensible tragedy, which 
took place at one of her high schools--Columbine. Within minutes, she 
was contacted, and her emergency plan was activated. She and her nurses 
didn't wait for instructions, they knew what needed to be done, and 
they got to work. As the newsletter stated, the Columbine tragedy 
wounded a nation, but Betty continues to meet the unique needs of this 
school community and the others she serves.
  Again, I am delighted by this honor that Ms. Fitzpatrick has brought 
to the State of Colorado, and I offer my sincere congratulations.

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