[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 124 (Tuesday, July 31, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S10413]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO JULIE SITTASON

 Mr. SHELBY. Mr. President, today I pay tribute to Julie 
Sittason, who has dedicated over 20 years of her life to caring for 
others. On August 16, 2007, when Julie steps down as the executive 
director of Hospice of West Alabama, she will leave behind a legacy of 
service to others.
  Julie and I have been friends for many years. She graduated from my 
alma mater, the University of Alabama, with an undergraduate degree in 
sociology and a master's degree in counseling and guidance from the 
University of Alabama. Soon after, Julie decided to pursue a rewarding 
career of serving and caring for others.
  For 7 years, Julie worked as a counselor at the Alabama State 
Department of Industrial Relations, providing guidance to the blind, 
the hearing impaired and recipients of Aid to Families with Dependent 
Children. Later, Julie returned to the University of Alabama to work as 
the program administrator for the West Alabama Comprehensive Services 
program.
  In 1986, Julie was named executive director of Hospice of West 
Alabama. When she was hired, the Agency only employed three full-time 
staffers, operating on an annual budget of $86,000. Today, the budget 
has grown to $5 million a year and Hospice of West Alabama has 70 
employees, serving 600 patients a year in Tuscaloosa, Greene, Hale, 
Bibb and Pickens Counties.
  Over the past two decades, Julie has overseen many changes at Hospice 
of West Alabama. It was under her direction in 1997 when the Agency 
became the first community-based hospice in the State of Alabama to be 
officially recognized by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of 
Healthcare Organizations. In 2004, it was Julie's vision that led to 
the construction of the $5 million facility that includes the State's 
first community-based inpatient hospice facility.
  While many people think that the service Julie contributes each day 
through her work at Hospice of West Alabama is enough, she thinks 
otherwise. As an avid volunteer, Julie continues to serve with 
organizations such as the March of Dimes, the MS Walkathon and Soup 
Bowl. She has served as an adviser for Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority, is on 
the administrative board for First United Methodist Church, and the 
board of directors for United Cerebral Palsy, Castle Hill Clinic and 
the Maude Whatley Clinic. Julie has also held several leadership 
positions in the Alabama Hospice Organization.
  Julie is married to Chuck Sittason. She has two daughters, Katherine 
Cramer, who served with distinction as my first Senate page in 1995, 
and Meredith Cramer.
  As Julie embarks on another phase in her life, she will remain an 
inspiration to many and will be remembered for her dedication and many 
contributions to Hospice of West Alabama. I wish her much luck in her 
future endeavors, and I ask this entire Senate to join me in 
recognizing and honoring the life and career of my good friend Julie 
Sittason.

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