[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 42 (Tuesday, April 12, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E628]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      DR. WILLIAM SCHWARTZ HONORED

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TOM LANTOS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 12, 2005

  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. William Schwartz 
as the co-founder of the Samaritan House Free Medical Clinic, as well 
as his dedication to the clinic since its inception in 1992. Dr. 
Schwartz was awarded the Jefferson Award for his work at the clinic 
that is located in San Mateo, California, in my district. His friends 
and colleagues have praised him for his selfless acts and hard work in 
trying to make our community a better place, and I hope the 
acknowledgment that comes from this award will inspire others to devote 
more of their time to helping those in need.
  Thirteen years ago, Dr. Schwartz and Dr. Walter Gains started a free 
clinic for those who could not afford health care. They treated 
patients in the conference room at Samaritan House one or two nights a 
week after spending the day at their own offices. The clinic provided 
free care through the generous contributions of lab work and x-rays by 
Mills Peninsula Hospital. Now open 6 days a week in two separate 
locations in San Mateo and Redwood City, the clinic serves 8,000 
patients a year through donations that range from $25 and $50.
  Mr. Speaker, small contributions and volunteers have kept this free 
clinic thriving. Ninety percent of the staff members donate their time 
after they leave their own jobs or after retirement. Dr. Schwartz 
worked as an internist in San Mateo for the 32 years in private 
practice and was preparing to retire when he got the idea to start the 
clinic. Now most of the doctors, nurses and translators running the 
clinic are retired. They include specialists in dentistry, gynecology, 
oncology, optometry, psychology, and orthopedics.
  Dr. Schwartz has seen many free clinics disappear over time with 
people turning to more mainstream medical facilities, yet the number of 
needy people has risen. Most of the patients have extremely low incomes 
of less than thirty percent of median income. The Jefferson Award is 
bestowed by the American Institute of Public Service for making a 
difference in one's community. Dr. Schwartz has done just that. His 
clinic even has been able to relieve some of the stress on overcrowded 
emergency rooms that many poor people have come to rely on for many 
non-emergency situations.
  Mr. Speaker, I invite my colleagues to join me in thanking Dr. 
William Schwartz for his contributions to my community. He has devoted 
his time to making a difference, beginning as a clinical professor at 
the University of California at San Francisco and now giving to the 
people of San Mateo and Redwood City medical attention. I rise today to 
congratulate him on winning the ``Nobel Prize of Community Service.'' 
He and his wife, Florette, deserve a long vacation and the nation's 
thanks.

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