[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 148 (Wednesday, September 17, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1823-E1824]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          IN HEARTFELT AND GRATEFUL MEMORY OF DR. ELLEN WOLFE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JACKIE SPEIER-

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 17, 2008

  Ms. SPEIER. Madam Speaker, if the world has seemed a bit grayer in 
recent weeks, it is no doubt due to the passing of one of its brightest 
lights. Ellen L Wolfe, the highly respected and much-loved registered 
nurse and Doctor of Public Health, left us on August 4.
  As director of Children's Medical Services for the City and County of 
San Francisco and throughout her career, Ellen dedicated her life to 
the care and well being of underserved children and their families. Dr. 
Wolfe was a pioneer in the field of children's health and a passionate 
advocate for abused children. She served as director of the Early 
Parenting Project, San Francisco General Hospital's landmark abuse 
prevention program, and was instrumental in creating the Child 
Protection Center at SFGH, serving as the program's Associate Director 
for Health Care Services from 1989 through 2005.
  Madam Speaker, a measure of anyone's life is how fondly they are 
remembered after their passing. By this yardstick, Ellen surpasses all 
measurements. Thousands of San Franciscans owe their health, mental 
well-being and, in many cases, very lives, to the intellect, instinct 
and intervention of this intrepid public servant.
  Ellen came to us by way of Denver, Colorado. She attended the 
University of Northern Colorado, Greeley on a music scholarship and her 
love of the violin and classical music only grew stronger after 
graduation. Ellen received a Master of Science in Nursing from the 
University of California, San Francisco and a Master and Doctor of 
Public Health from UC Berkeley.
  Her accomplishments in San Francisco are many and notable, including 
the development of a Health Passport system for children in foster 
care, creation of a widely-used child abuse manual for doctors and 
nurses, and educating foster parents, health professionals and students 
about child abuse reporting and health issues. A tireless advocate, 
Ellen served on the California Subcommittee on Medically Fragile 
Children in Foster Care, the Personnel Advisory Committee for Early 
Intervention Services, and the San Francisco Child Abuse Prevention 
Center.
  Dr. Wolfe authored numerous professional publications addressing 
foster care and prenatal drug and alcohol use and served as an

[[Page E1824]]

assistant clinical professor in the Department of Family Health Care 
Nursing at the UCSF School of Nursing.
  Outside of work, Ellen is remembered as a passionate woman who 
embraced life to its fullest. She is missed dearly by her mother 
Marian, sisters Christine and Charlotte, brothers Fred and Sam, and a 
great many close friends and colleagues. They remember fondly her love 
of classical music, fine food and the great outdoors, which were 
eclipsed only by her commitment to children's health.
  Madam Speaker, when those of us from San Francisco are asked what 
makes our city so special, we often say, ``the people.'' With the 
passing of Ellen Wolfe, our beautiful hometown has lost a favorite 
sister, but her legacy of good works and sound public policy will 
outlive all of us.

                          ____________________