[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 99 (Tuesday, July 8, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1420]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNITION OF SSM HEALTH CARE AND ST. MARY's/GOOD SAMARITAN HOSPITAL

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOHN SHIMKUS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 8, 2003

  Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to recognize SSM 
Health Care for receiving the Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Award. 
SSM Health Care sponsors St. Mary's/Good Samaritan Hospitals in 
Centralia and Mt. Vernon, both located in the 19th Congressional 
District of Illinois.
  I am very proud of their accomplishment. SSM Health Care is the first 
health care organization to win the award. The award is given annually 
by the United States Department of Commerce and is the highest award a 
U.S. company can receive for management and quality achievement.
  The leadership, medical staff, and all employees continually strive 
to meet the needs of their patients first. Their level of service is 
outstanding and very responsive. I thank them for their commitment to 
quality health care, but above all to the citizens of this great 
nation. Keep up the excellent work.

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