[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 63 (Wednesday, May 9, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E761]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      COMMENDING CATAWBA MEMORIAL

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                          HON. CASS BALLENGER

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 9, 2001

  Mr. BALLENGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Catawba 
Memorial Hospital, a health care facility in my district that for years 
has provided first-rate care to those in need.
  Nearly forty years ago, I joined a number of business, civic and 
community leaders for the groundbreaking of Catawba Memorial Hospital. 
Since then, my wife and I have maintained close involvement with the 
hospital for a number of years. During this time, we've both watched as 
Catawba Memorial has grown in size and prominence in the health care 
community. Much to my expectation and pleasure, Catawba Memorial 
Hospital has gone on to become one of the region's leading health care 
facilities.
  Aside from merely wanting to heap praise on a hospital that clearly 
deserves it, I also rise today, Mr. Speaker, to commend Catawba 
Memorial Hospital for its recent designation as a Magnate Hospital by 
the American Nurses Credentialing Center. Catawba Memorial is only the 
32nd hospital in the nation to receive this prestigious award. It was 
chosen for Magnet Hospital designation for its excellence in nursing 
services. Although I'm certainly not surprised that Catawba Memorial 
was singled out for such a distinction, I am pleased nonetheless to 
congratulate Catawba Memorial Hospital's doctors, nurses, and staff for 
their tremendous achievement. We are indeed fortunate to have such a 
distinguished facility in the 10th District of North Carolina.

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