[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 138 (Thursday, October 2, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1956]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             TRIBUTE TO LAFAYETTE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT

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                            HON. IKE SKELTON

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 2, 2003

  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, let me take this means to pay tribute to 
the Lafayette County Health Department which is celebrating its 50th 
Anniversary on October 9, 2003.
  The Lafayette County Health Department has proudly served the 
residents of Lafayette County since 1953. In that year, a sixteen 
member County Health Steering Committee was appointed to analyze 
various health problems in Lafayette County. In 1957, the steering 
committee recommended hiring the first county health nurse, Catherine 
Boedeker Winfrey. It was also in 1957 that the county started receiving 
public health funds. With the funds, the Lafayette County Health 
Department started massive polio immunization clinics and started to 
dispense tuberculosis medicines. They also provided dressings to cancer 
patients and provided classes in home nursing, first aid, babysitting, 
and civil defense. Hearing and vision screening were started in the 
county's schools. The Lafayette County Health Department became the 
lead agency in coordinating disaster plans for the county.
  In 1963, immunization services were expanded to include the 
prevention of diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, and the smallpox 
diseases. The Lafayette County Health Department implemented Maternal 
Child Health programs to educate the public about prenatal and infant 
health issues in 1967. Mass immunizations for rubella were available in 
1970, the same year that family planning services were offered for the 
first time. In 1973, child health conferences were started. This 
program offered free well child check-ups as well as other programs to 
promote healthy children.
  Through the 1980's and 1990's the Lafayette County Health Department 
continued its many services. In 1980, the department added 
Environmental Sanitarian services to offer inspections of food 
establishments and public sanitation outlets. In 2000, the department 
developed a Mentoring Moms program for mothers in the county.
  Mr. Speaker, the Lafayette County Health Department has provided 
valuable public health services to the people of Lafayette County for 
the past 50 years. I hope that the other Members of the House will join 
me in thanking them for their wonderful years of service.

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