[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 111 (Thursday, August 2, 2001)]
[House]
[Page H5323]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




EXPRESSING SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING ESTABLISHMENT OF NATIONAL HEALTH 
                              CENTER WEEK

  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the 
Committee on Government Reform be discharged from further consideration 
of the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 179) expressing the sense of 
Congress regarding the establishment of a National Health Center Week 
to raise awareness of health services provided by community, migrant, 
public housing, and homeless health centers, and ask for its immediate 
consideration in the House.
  The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.

                              {time}  2310

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Bereuter). Is there objection to the 
request of the gentleman from Ohio?
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, reserving the right to object, 
although I will not object, I rise today in support of this important 
resolution, and I am pleased to have been a major sponsor of this 
legislation along with the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Capuano), 
the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis), and the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Bonilla), my fellow co-chairs of the Community Health Center 
Caucus.
  I thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hastert), the gentleman from 
Missouri (Mr. Gephardt), the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Burton), and 
the gentleman from California (Mr. Waxman) for expediting this 
resolution to the floor.
  The resolution before us simply urges the establishment of a 
Community Health Center Week beginning on August 19. The establishment 
of Community Health Center Week would raise awareness of health 
services provided by the more than 1,029 community health centers 
located in rural and urban communities throughout America.
  Community health centers have stood in the gap providing health 
services to the poor and medically underserved throughout our Nation, 
in public housing, homeless shelters and in rural America. It is a 
program that has been successful and is currently serving over 12 
million people at 3,200 health delivery sites throughout the United 
States, Puerto Rico, Guam and the Virgin Islands. Health centers have 
been cost-effective and at the same time provide quality health care to 
their patient population. They are truly community oriented and patient 
focused.
  In addition, health centers play a major role in helping to reduce 
health disparities. We still remain a Nation divided when it comes to 
health care, divided along the lines of those who have and those who 
have not access to care. Health centers have to bridge the gap between 
those entities.
  A National Health Center Week will allow health centers to raise 
awareness and educate the public about health issues and the role that 
they play in our communities. Therefore, I am pleased to support this 
resolution, and urge its immediate adoption.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Ohio, and urge adoption of 
this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I withdraw my reservation of objection.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Ohio?
  There was no objection.
  The Clerk read the concurrent resolution, as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 179

       Whereas community, migrant, public housing, and homeless 
     health centers are vital to many communities in the United 
     States;
       Whereas there are more than 1,029 such health centers 
     serving nearly 12,000,000 people at 3,200 health delivery 
     sites, located in all 50 States of the United States, the 
     District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin 
     Islands;
       Whereas such health centers have provided cost-effective, 
     quality health care to poor and medically underserved people 
     in the United States, including the working poor, the 
     uninsured, and many high-risk and vulnerable populations;
       Whereas such health centers help reduce health disparities, 
     meet escalating health care needs, and provide a vital safety 
     net, in the health care delivery system of the United States;
       Whereas such health centers provide care to 1 of every 9 
     uninsured Americans, 1 of every 8 low-income Americans, and 1 
     of every 10 rural Americans;
       Whereas the people to whom such health centers provide care 
     would otherwise lack access to health care;
       Whereas such health centers and other innovative programs 
     in primary and preventive care serve 600,000 homeless persons 
     and more than 650,000 farm workers in the United States;
       Whereas such health centers make health care responsive and 
     cost-effective by integrating the delivery of primary care 
     with aggressive outreach, patient education, translation, and 
     other enabling support services;
       Whereas such health centers increase the use of preventive 
     health services, including immunizations, pap smears, 
     mammograms, and glaucoma screenings;
       Whereas in communities served by such health centers, 
     infant mortality rates have decreased between 10 and 40 
     percent;
       Whereas such health centers are built through community 
     initiative;
       Whereas Federal grants assist participating communities in 
     finding partners and recruiting doctors and other health 
     professionals;
       Whereas Federal grants constitute, on average, 28 percent 
     of the annual budget of such health centers, with the 
     remainder provided by State and local governments, medicare, 
     medicaid, private contributions, private insurance, and 
     patient fees;
       Whereas such health centers are community-oriented and 
     patient-focused;
       Whereas such health centers tailor their services to fit 
     the special needs and priorities of communities, working 
     together with schools, businesses, churches, community 
     organizations, foundations, and State and local governments;
       Whereas such health centers contribute to the health and 
     well-being of their communities by keeping children healthy 
     and in school and helping adults remain healthy and 
     productive;
       Whereas such health centers encourage citizen participation 
     and provide jobs for 50,000 community residents; and
       Whereas the establishment of a National Community Health 
     Center Week for the week beginning August 19, 2001, would 
     raise awareness of the health services provided by such 
     health centers: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), That it is the sense of Congress that--
       (1) there should be established a National Community Health 
     Center Week to raise awareness of health services provided by 
     community, migrant, public housing, and homeless health 
     centers; and
       (2) the President should issue a proclamation calling on 
     the people of the United States and interested organizations 
     to observe such a week with appropriate programs and 
     activities.

  The concurrent resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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