[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 82 (Tuesday, June 15, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1122]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      RECOGNIZING CAROL CAROTHERS (EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, NAMI MAINE)

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. THOMAS H. ALLEN

                                of maine

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 15, 2004

  Mr. ALLEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Carol Carothers, 
who was recently named a 2004 national Community Health Leader by the 
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation for her work to prevent inappropriate 
incarceration and improve the treatment of people with mental 
illnesses. Ms. Carothers was one of only ten people nationally to be 
selected for this prestigious award, which includes a grant of more 
than $105,000 to support her work.
  Ms. Carothers is executive director of the National Alliance for the 
Mentally Ill (NAMI) Maine. During her tenure, Ms. Carothers has 
dedicated herself to assisting families of people who have mental 
illness. Under her leadership, NAMI Maine has become a respected source 
for information on effective practices in treatment and diversion of 
the incarcerated mentally ill. Ms. Carothers has successfully assembled 
a broad-based coalition of families, inmates, providers, corrections 
and law enforcement professionals, State officials, and advocates to 
identify problems and solutions for inmates with mental illness. The 
program Ms. Carothers pioneered in Maine has become a model for other 
States seeking to train prison personnel to recognize the signs of 
mental illness and provide appropriate responses.
  The suicide of an 18 year-old man in a maximum security prison 3 
years ago inspired Ms. Carothers' interest in the plight of the 
incarcerated mentally ill. She now assists the State government in 
assessing the quality of prison programs, and provides education and 
training to law enforcement and corrections officers to promote more 
humane treatment.
  NAMI Maine's Assistant Director put it best by saying, ``[Carol is] 
propelled by the personal situations that illustrate the inhumane and 
immoral quality of inadequate treatment in the criminal justice 
system.''
  Mr. Speaker, I couldn't agree more. I'm honored to recognize Ms. 
Carothers for this national award, and express my gratitude for her 
determination and leadership. She has inspired many others in Maine and 
elsewhere to take action. This well-deserved award is confirmation of 
the importance of her work.

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