[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 61 (Tuesday, May 14, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E790]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  IN HONOR OF NATIONAL NURSING HOME WEEK AND THE NURSING HOMES OF THE 
                10TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT OF MICHIGAN

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                          HON. DAVID E. BONIOR

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 14, 2002

  Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to recognize today National Nursing 
Home Week and honor the many great nursing homes located in the 10th 
Congressional District. This year is the 35th annual year of National 
Nursing Home Week and the theme is Celebrating the Seasons of Life.
  I believe that this theme is indicative of all that the nursing homes 
of Macomb and St. Clair Counties have to offer. They strive to provide 
their residents a high quality of life and treat those in need with 
dignity and respect. The nursing homes of the 10th Congressional 
District work hard to provide their residents quality care, and I have 
met with many of those whose lives have been improved by living in 
nursing homes.
  I have seen first hand the importance nursing homes and their staff 
play in the lives of residents and the families of those residents. It 
is hard for families when a loved one enters a nursing home, but with a 
caring and compassionate staff these thoughts are quickly forgotten.
  Unfortunately, I have heard first hand about the burdens that 
Medicare and Medicaid reductions have placed on nursing home 
facilities. As a nation, we should be doing everything that we can to 
promote good, long-term care for our citizens, not compromising the 
care that our parents and grandparents receive. These reductions make 
it hard for nursing homes to continue providing quality care to those 
who need it.
  During National Nursing Home Week, it is important to remember that 
our loved ones--our parents and grandparents--deserve the best in their 
later years. We need to ensure that our nursing homes and their staff 
have the resources and support to continue to provide quality care for 
all.

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