[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 59 (Wednesday, April 22, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E925]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           HONORING SUE CARY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BILL CASSIDY

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 22, 2009

  Mr. CASSIDY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Sue Cary, for her 
dedication and contributions to nephrology nursing and kidney patients 
in Louisiana and across the country. Sue is one of my constituents from 
Baton Rogue and has served as President of the American Nephrology 
Nurses' Association (ANNA) in 2008 and 2009. Sue has been an active 
member of ANNA for 24 years--serving in a variety of leadership roles. 
As ANNA President, she has implemented a broad range of initiatives 
that will continue to improve care for patients whose lives depend on 
dialysis and other kidney replacement treatments.
  ANNA is one of the largest and most prestigious nursing associations 
in America. The organization is the recognized leader in nephrology 
nursing practice, education, research, and advocacy. ANNA's members are 
registered nurses and health care professionals that care for patients 
of all ages who are experiencing, or are at risk for, kidney disease.
  Approximately 20 million Americans have chronic kidney disease. While 
African Americans only make up about 12 percent of the U.S., they 
constitute about 32 percent of chronic kidney disease cases and are 4 
times more likely than Caucasians to develop kidney failure.
  I urge my colleagues to take advantage of the educational 
opportunities offered by ANNA to learn more about kidney disease. I 
believe this information will help our nation better understand the 
issues facing kidney disease patients and nephrology nurses.
  Sue Cary has also recognized the importance of recruiting and 
retaining nephrology nurses to help ensure the future of the 
profession. She currently is a key figure in ANNA's annual ``Nephrology 
Nurses Week,'' a national campaign that recognizes and celebrates the 
critical role of nephrology nurses in patient care. During another 
annual ANNA event, Kidney Disease Awareness and Education (KDAE) Week, 
Sue and other nephrology nurses across the country invite state and 
federal legislators to visit dialysis units to learn more about kidney 
disease and treatments in their districts.
  Professionally, Sue Cary has worked as a Nurse Practitioner in 
Louisiana and has served as an Associate Professor, in the Division of 
Nursing, at Our Lady of the Lake College from 1990-2003. She has also 
worked as an adjunct clinical nursing faculty member for Loyola 
University's Registered Nurse (RN) to Bachelors of Science in Nursing 
(BSN) program, where she was responsible for the clinical component of 
the programs' ``Community Health Course.''
  Please join me in commending Sue Cary for her years of service.

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