[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 44 (Friday, March 14, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E432-E433]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   COMMENDING EFFORTS TO ESTABLISH TERRY'S HOUSE, A BURN AND TRAUMA 
                          SURVIVOR FAMILY HOME

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 14, 2008

  Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend the efforts of Mr. 
Tom Richards, The Community Medical Center Foundation, and their 
partners throughout the 20th District of California for joining 
together to launch a capital campaign to fulfill a dream--to establish 
and build a burn and trauma survivor family home on the campus of 
Community Regional Medical Center.
  Community Regional Medical Center hosts the only Level 1 burn and 
trauma centers between Los Angeles and Sacramento, making it the 
primary receiving facility for patients in critical condition 
throughout the Valley and beyond. More than half of Community 
Regional's burn patients are children. Without any form of temporary 
housing available, parents traveling long distances for their 
children's care often face untenable expenses for lodging during their 
child's treatment. Thanks to the vision and dedication of Community 
Medical Center and the Richards family, there will soon be a reprieve 
for these families.
  Inspired by his own family's struggle having a loved one miles away 
in intensive care, Tom Richards committed to help fill a healthcare 
void in the Central Valley by building a burn and trauma survivor 
family facility. This 17,000 square foot, twenty-unit facility will 
provide housing primarily for the immediate families of trauma 
patients, as well as a much needed family resource center, supplying 
information and tools for families caring for burn and trauma victims 
both during and after treatment.

[[Page E433]]

  The facility will be named Terry's House in recognition of Tom 
Richards' brother, Terry, who sustained serious trauma in a car 
accident at the age of five. For nearly five months, Richards' mother 
traveled 80 miles a day to be with her son during his recovery. Over 45 
years later, Tom Richards hopes Terry's House will help prevent other 
families from having to endure the same hardship as his did.
  By providing a home away from home for burn and trauma families, 
Terry's House will undoubtedly provide a much needed respite to ease 
the burden of care on families. I am proud to have such a worthy 
project in my district and encouraged by the commitment of those 
involved in bringing Terry's House to life.

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