[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 43 (Tuesday, March 18, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E492]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E492]]
                      A TRIBUTE TO JEANETTE TURNER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 18, 2003

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of Jeanette Turner in 
recognition of her passionate commitment to her community.
  Jeanette was born and raised in Brooklyn New York. Educated in the 
New York City Public School System, she was able to attend college and 
pursue a career in nursing through the Higher Education Extension 
Program. She earned an Associate in Applied Science from the Bellevue 
School of Nursing of New York City Community College and a Bachelor of 
Science from Hunter College. She also received a Master of Arts in 
Nursing from New York University. Additionally, Jeanatte has a 
certificate from the Alcohol Council of New York Education and Training 
for Historical Approaches and Current Trends to Substance Abuse.
  For more than 20 years, she dedicated herself to providing quality 
health care for veterans while working in patient services at the New 
York Harbor Health System of the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical 
Center. She worked at the Health System from 1977 to 1998. Always 
recognizing that veterans are individuals with their own unique needs, 
she emphasized a holistic approach to client care.
  Under the leadership of Dr. Thomas B. Horvath, Chief of Staff of the 
Special Unit, she helped and supervised the implementation of the 
Mentally Impaired Chemical Abuse (MICA) program. Jeanette was involved 
in creating all aspects of the program from counseling to job 
placement. Additionally, she assisted physicians in providing annual 
physical and psychiatric examinations. Working with the community, 
Jeanette helped veterans obtain food, clothing, shelter, and financial 
assistance. Her work with the Veterans Outreach Center made sure that 
250 veterans received referrals for veteran's benefits. She also 
developed a special patient education program and coordinated with the 
recreational services office to bring live entertainment for veterans, 
their families, and staff.
  Jeanette has been committed to improving the health care of her 
community in her other professional experiences as well. She served as 
the Director of Service and Rehabilitation in the Brooklyn office of 
the American Cancer Society, providing rehabilitation services for 
families with oncology problems in the tri-state area. At Kings County 
Hospital, she worked with children in the outpatient pediatric unit, 
emergency room and on the medical and surgical units.
  For her hard work and dedication, Jeanette was awarded the ``We 
Care'' Award from Kings County Hospital, a Special Commendation Award 
from the Acting Director of Kingsboro Psychiatric Center, and a 
Certification of Excellence from Department of Veterans Affairs. Her 
chief of staff also nominated her for the ``Hands and Heart'' Award. In 
1996, She was the guest speaker during African American heritage month 
at the Department of Veterans Affairs, Ryerson Street Outpatient 
Clinic.
  Additionally, she is a member of several community and civil 
organizations including the Brooklyn Canarsie Lions Club Foundation, 
Joseph Riley-Blacks in Government Chapter, St. Paul Community Baptist 
Church, Thomas Jefferson Democratic Club, and Order of Eastern Star 
Chapter 719--Deborah Grand Chapter.
  Mr. Speaker, Jeanette Turner has dedicated her life to improving the 
health care for children, families and veterans in her community. As 
such, she is more the worthy of receiving our recognition today and I 
urge my colleague to join me in honoring this truly remarkable woman.

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