[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 21 (Wednesday, February 14, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E184-E185]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING SCHOOL NURSES

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. TOM UDALL

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 14, 2001

  Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, today I share with my 
colleagues the deep respect and admiration that I have for our nation's 
school nurses. As you may know, January 6th was National School Nurse 
Day, and I used that opportunity to extend recognition to those who 
provide medical care for our children in New Mexico's schools.
  As health care professionals, school nurses serve a unique role in 
our education system. They witness suffering and do their best to calm 
and help our students. Nurses bring their professional skills to bear, 
but they also bring their compassion and knowledge to help those at 
their most vulnerable. I believe that the contribution school nurses 
make to our students and schools is often overlooked.
  Recently, I have been in touch with several school nurses, 
administrators, and others who have taken the time to inform me about 
the unique challenges that our rural health care school nurses face. 
Many of my colleagues would be surprised to learn that many schools in 
rural New Mexico do not have full-time nurses.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to honor the school nurses that serve 
McKinley County of my home state. These health care professionals 
deserved to be recognized for their contributions: Regina Belmont, E.J. 
Charles, Anna Chavez, Veronica Chavez, Lynne Dennison, Allison 
Kozeliski, Sara Landavazo, Barbara Lope, Phyllis Lynch, Esther Saucedo, 
Pam Smith, Camille Quest, and Nancy VanDipien. They have difficult jobs 
and I want to commend them for their service.

[[Page E185]]

  I would also like to recognize Cynthia Greenberg, who is the 
president of the New Mexico School Nurses Association, for her 
commitment to our schools and students.
  In closing, I want to thank all the school nurses in New Mexico and 
around the country for their enthusiasm and dedication. I call on my 
colleagues to join me in thanking them for their valuable work.

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