[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 1 (Tuesday, January 4, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                DELIVERING HIGH-QUALITY CARE TO VETERANS

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                          HON. BERNARD SANDERS

                               of vermont

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, January 4, 2005

  Mr. SANDERS. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise in praise of the White 
River Junction Veterans Administration Medical Center, which has 
received the Robert W. Carey Trophy Award for Organizational 
Excellence. This award, named after a former Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs, was presented to recognize the truly excellent care that the 
White River VA Center provides to veterans in Vermont and the 
Connecticut River Valley. This award is the highest quality award the 
Department of Veterans Affairs can bestow.
  In the two previous years, the White River VA Center was recognized 
for excellence for the quality of its care by winning back-to-back 
Carey Achievement Awards. This year it took the top award in the 
nation.
  Under the leadership of Gary De Gasta, the staff at the center--
doctors, nurses, health professionals, administrative support--are 
committed to providing the very best in health care. They are attentive 
to veterans and their needs; they offer state-of-the art medical care; 
they honor the service of the brave men and women who answered, and 
answer, our nation's call decade after decade.
  I am very proud of the excellent work done by those who work at the 
White River VA Center. They are deserving of this highest of 
commendations, and we in Vermont are very proud of them. We are equally 
proud that this high level of performance helps to deliver the very 
best in health care to our veterans.

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