[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 83 (Thursday, June 14, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1106]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


          RECOGNIZING VALLEY HOSPITAL IN RIDGEWOOD, NEW JERSEY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARGE ROUKEMA

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 14, 2001

  Mrs. ROUKEMA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Valley 
Hospital in Ridgewood, New Jersey on the occasion of their 50th 
anniversary. From a small and difficult beginning, the Valley Hospital 
has become a premier example of quality and commitment to medical 
excellence. This weekend, the Valley Hospital will be honored as a 
Hermitage Pioneer Corporation at the Hermitage Rose Ball in Ho-Ho-Kus, 
New Jersey. It is an honor to recognize this hospital for their service 
to northern New Jersey.
  The Valley Hospital opened its doors in 1951 with 108 beds, 22 
bassinets and 268 physicians and employees. Over 4,700 patients were 
admitted and served by the hospital. Through their exceptional 
leadership and vision, Valley has expanded and continually met the 
changing healthcare needs of the ever-growing community. I am proud to 
say that Valley now has over 600 physicians and 3,000 employees. Last 
year the hospital served 42,540 patients and welcomed 3,221 babies. 
Under Mike Azzara's guidance as Chairman of Valley Health Systems, and 
Audrey Meyer's leadership as President and CEO of the Valley Hospital, 
the hospital has entered the 21st century as a premier provider of 
health care in not only New Jersey but the entire Northeast United 
States.
  This achievement has not come without a struggle. Plans to open a 
hospital in northwest New Jersey began nearly forty years before ground 
was broken. Community groups gathered to raise money for a hospital, 
however, the stock market crash and the Great Depression stalled their 
attempts. Under the leadership of the Women's Auxiliary in 1944, local 
residents donated almost $1,000,000 to break ground in 1949.
  The Valley Hospital exists because of a determined group of local 
citizens who very early on saw a need and overcame the odds to make 
this into a reality. This is the classic American dream. Such 
outstanding dedication is still visible in the hospital today as the 
Valley Hospital looks forward to the needs of the next fifty years.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to 
join me in commending the Valley Hospital for its service to the 
community, and recognizing those committed to continuing its tradition 
of excellence.

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