[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 57 (Tuesday, May 1, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E674]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   TRIBUTE TO THE COMMUNITY HEALTH AGENCY OF ATTLEBORO, MASSACHUSETTS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES P. McGOVERN

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 1, 2001

  Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to applaud the Community 
Health Agency of Attleboro, Massachusetts. In 1910, town and church 
officials approached Rena Rounsville, President of the Murray Church 
Mission Circle, with a challenge. Would she be interested in forming 
some sort of nursing service for the health and welfare of the citizens 
of Attleboro?
  The ensuing years resulted in clinics for tuberculosis, family 
welfare, school nurses, new baby welfare, and a myriad of other 
services. The local pharmacy, doctors, and dentists in the area 
cooperated and a network of health care professionals to care for the 
needs of the community was established. Funding, at best, was 
haphazard--running the gauntlet of tag days, tuberculosis Christmas 
seals, and very small patient fees.
  The present day program has evolved and is now called Community 
Health Agency, Inc. It encompasses the nine cities and towns in the 
area and provides skilled nursing care, therapists, home health aids, 
and hospice to the region. Throughout the years, this agency has 
provided the citizens of this community with services during times of 
great stress to the patients and their families. It is important that 
the elderly, as well as other community members, have the resources to 
assist them with their health needs, and accordingly, the agency 
provides a network of services to assist them. Compassionate and 
dedicated care by professional and well trained medical staff is the 
foundation for quality care in the region. Thank you.
  I applaud the services that they provide and look forward to the 
coming years with the hope that the agency will continue to provide 
services that are so desperately needed.

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