[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 2 (Wednesday, January 21, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Pages S107-S108]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                     TRIBUTE TO MARSHA GOODWIN-BECK

 Mr. GRAHAM of Florida. Madam President, I am saddened to 
report that on December 18, 2003, our Nation lost one of its leading 
advocates for the care of older veterans, Marsha Goodwin-Beck. The 
Director of Geriatrics for the Veterans Health Administration from 1989 
until her death, she dedicated her career to serving veterans in many 
capacities.
  Ms. Goodwin-Beck was instrumental in the growth and development of 
VA's nationally prominent Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical 
Centers, as well as its multidisciplinary geriatric training programs. 
She also had a key role in coordinating the implementation of the 
Veterans Millennium Health Act of 1999, a bill that made an impact on a 
countless number of our Nation's veterans. Ms. Goodwin-Beck began her 
career at VA in 1983 as an education specialist, later moving into 
various positions with the Office of Geriatrics and Extended Care. In 
2003, VA recognized her long-time service on behalf of older veterans 
by awarding her the VA Undersecretary for Health Commendation.
  As a testament to her expertise, Ms. Goodwin-Beck authored several 
articles on geriatric and long-term care issues. She also was active in 
local and national nursing organizations, including as a founding 
member of the National Alliance for Caregiving, and she served on the 
Education Committee of the Gerontological Society of America. Shortly 
before her death, Ms. Goodwin-Beck was elected to the national board of 
directors of the American Geriatrics Society.
  Prior to her Government service, Ms. Goodwin-Beck had a distinguished 
career in clinical care as a certified adult nurse practitioner and 
nurse educator. Between 1981 and 1982, she was awarded a Robert Wood 
Johnson Foundation fellowship as a primary care nurse practitioner at 
the University of Maryland. Ms. Goodwin-Beck was also an assistant 
professor at Catholic University's School of Nursing and was on faculty 
for the university's Teaching Nursing Home project. In addition, she 
was a consultant to the American Health Care Association, coauthored 
the book ``How to Be a Nursing Aide in a Nursing Home,'' and conducted 
workshops on quality assurance for staff in nursing homes throughout 
the country.
  On behalf of the members and staff of the Senate Committee on 
Veterans Affairs, our hearts and thoughts are with Ms. Goodwin-Beck's 
husband, Jeffrey

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Beck, and her entire family. VA has lost one of its most dedicated and 
caring members, but I know that Ms. Goodwin-Beck's contributions to 
veterans' care will continue to be felt for years to come.

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