[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 147 (Monday, October 20, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2095]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     HONORING FRANCES ``FRANKIE'' BOCK FOR 28 YEARS OF VOLUNTEERISM

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN P. MURTHA

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 20, 2003

  Mr. MURTHA. Mr. Speaker, I rise before my colleagues today to honor a 
very special lady from the 12th Congressional District of Pennsylvania, 
Frankie Bock. With her visionary ideas and tireless work, she has 
touched the lives of countless people with her compassion and dedicated 
service to the terminally ill and their families in Southwestern 
Pennsylvania.
  Caring for others is not just a concept to Frankie Bock; it has been 
a way of life for over 60 years. With three younger siblings and 
fragile parents who depended on her, 10-year-old Frankie was 
indoctrinated into care giving as a means of family survival. 
Eventually, as a young mother of six children of her own, Frankie 
somehow found time to become involved with Cub Scouts and also began 
teaching Sunday School at the First Lutheran Church. She would continue 
teaching for 35 years, while also serving in the Church's Bereavement 
Ministry. Volunteerism not only became a way of life for her, but would 
lead her to her true calling, hospice care.
  In 1977, Frankie Bock saw a need and set out to fill it. She joined 
forces with Dr. Earl Shope, who had been providing hospice care on his 
own, visiting patients at their homes to comfort them. Together, they 
established Laurel Highland Hospice of Pennsylvania. The hospice 
movement worldwide was in its infancy at the time, but it was a natural 
transition for Frankie. Laurel Highland Hospice was the first rural 
hospice in the United States and the first formal hospice in 
Pennsylvania. Its name was changed to Windber Hospice after it was 
given a home by the Windber Hospital.
  Frankie's calling was helping people when they most needed it--at the 
end of their lives, when they were suffering from pain and the 
knowledge that there was no hope for a cure for their illness. Their 
only hope was that someone would care; that someone could somehow ease 
the pain; that someone would understand.
  Many of us, too many of us, know the anguish of losing a friend or a 
loved one to a fatal illness. To us, but moreover to those who are ill 
and suffering, people like Frankie are truly angels of mercy sent by 
God. From kindness, compassion and companionship to managing pain and 
sickness with needed medicines, to helping families prepare both 
emotionally and financially for what was to come, Frankie saw the 
enormous need and made all these things possible.
  From its humble beginnings a generation ago, the Windber Hospice 
Program has reached impressive milestones. It has grown enormously and 
now serves a large portion of Southwestern Pennsylvania, to include six 
counties. Its impact reaches much farther, however. Because it inspired 
the establishment of numerous similar programs, it serves as a powerful 
example of just how much one person can truly make a difference in the 
lives of so many.
  In 1981, the Windber Palliative Care Unit was opened, a direct result 
of the establishment of the hospice program Frankie and Earl started. 
Its newest facility was just dedicated in 2000. Presently, the program 
boasts 90 volunteers serving in the Palliative Care Unit, Home Care, 
Bereavement, and Pastoral Care. No one is denied services due to the 
lack of insurance or the inability to pay.
  After more than 25 years and the recent passing of her dear friend 
and hospice co-founder Dr. Shope, Frankie continues to train hospice 
volunteers and touch the lives of hundreds of terminally ill patients, 
providing personal care to the dying and loving comfort to their 
families. She also volunteers her ``spare'' time to help further the 
cause of Children's Hospice International. Frankie and the volunteers 
at Windber Hospice hosted CHI's 14th World Congress in Johnstown 
recently. It was attended by 150 health care providers from around the 
world.
  Few would argue that Frankie sets the standard for volunteerism and 
community service. Her name is familiar to many families in the area 
because so many of them at one time or another have had a loved one in 
the program. I felt her name should be heard here in Congress as well, 
because she embodies the best the American spirit has to offer.
  Frankie, I cannot think of twenty-eight years better spent. Thank 
you, Frankie, for your amazing work on behalf of dying patients and 
their families.

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