[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 113 (Friday, July 24, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1950-E1951]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          EARMARK DECLARATION

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. VERNON J. EHLERS

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 23, 2009

  Mr. EHLERS. Madam Speaker, pursuant to Republican Leadership 
standards, I am submitting the following information regarding projects 
I received funding for as part of H.R. 3293--Department of Labor, 
Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies 
Appropriations Act, 2010.
  Requesting Member: Congressman Vernon J. Ehlers
  Bill Number: H.R. 3293
  Agency: Department of Health & Human Services
  Account: Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)--Health 
Facilities and Services.
  Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Grand Rapids Public Schools
  Address of Requesting Entity: 1331 Franklin Ave. SE., Grand Rapids, 
MI 49506
  Description of Request: The bill provides $500,000 for the Central 
Health Science Campus, a new education redevelopment model that is 
being advanced by the Grand Rapids Public Schools in partnership with 
several local colleges, universities, health institutions, and 
community stakeholders. The purpose is to create a mixed-use campus 
centered on the health science industry that connects K-12, higher 
education, and job providers all on one site. The education 
redevelopment of the Central campus is a valuable use of federal 
taxpayer dollars as those funds will foster new, innovative public-
private partnerships and help to leverage additional private and state 
resources and support for the betterment of student achievement, 
workforce development, economic development, and the entire 
neighborhood. Most importantly, the federal funds will benefit a 
population of students and a surrounding neighborhood that includes a 
high percentage of disadvantaged children.
  Requesting Member: Congressman Vernon J. Ehlers
  Bill Number: H.R. 3293
  Agency: Department of Health & Human Services
  Account: Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)--Health 
Facilities and Services.
  Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Spectrum Health
  Address of Requesting Entity: 100 Michigan Street NW., Grand Rapids, 
MI 49503
  Description of Request: The bill provides $200,000 for Spectrum 
Health, a regional leader in orthopedic care. Spectrum Health is 
developing an Orthopedic Surgical Treatment Effectiveness Registry to 
track patient health outcomes; this will ultimately help improve the 
quality of care provided at Spectrum Health and elsewhere. The registry 
would contain long-term patient procedure and outcome data and use 
evidence-based clinical standards set by the orthopedics community to 
measure effectiveness of procedures. Ultimately, a registry like this 
will enable Spectrum Health to be at the forefront of research and help 
us ensure orthopedic patients--many of whom are elderly Medicare 
beneficiaries--receive the most clinically appropriate and cost-
effective treatments possible, a valuable use of taxpayer funds.
  Requesting Member: Congressman Vernon J. Ehlers
  Bill Number: H.R. 3293
  Agency: Department of Health & Human Services
  Account: Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)--Health 
Facilities and Services.
  Legal Name of Requesting Entity: Pine Rest Christian Mental Health 
Services

[[Page E1951]]

  Address of Requesting Entity: 300 68th Street SE., PO Box 165, Grand 
Rapids, MI 49501
  Description of Request: The bill provides $200,000 to Pine Rest for 
an Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system. This is a valuable use of 
taxpayer funds since Pine Rest is well-positioned to be a national 
model for other behavioral health care systems. Pine Rest will 
demonstrate improved quality of care at a lower cost through its 
continuum of care, including hospital-based services, a large 
outpatient clinic network, addictions recovery services and residential 
treatment settings. Pine Rest will have the ability to connect to the 
Health Information Exchange, improving communication between providers.
  Requesting Member: Congressman Vernon J. Ehlers
  Bill Number: H.R. 3293
  Agency: Department of Labor
  Account: Employment and Training Administration (ETA)--Training & 
Employment Services (TES)
  Legal Name of Requesting Entity: City of Grand Rapids
  Address of Requesting Entity: 300 Monroe Ave. NW., Suite 480, Grand 
Rapids, MI 49503
  Description of Request: The bill provides $350,000 for Our 
Community's Children, a public/private partnership between the City, 
the Grand Rapids Public Schools, and the community. Our Community's 
Children will work with the Grand Rapids Public Schools Youth 
Employment program to increase investment in early workforce 
development. Youth will be trained in 21st century work skills and be 
given literacy remediation to ensure they are ready for the workforce, 
a valuable use of taxpayer funds. Businesses in emerging fields will be 
sought to provide long-term job training and opportunities for youth. 
Outcomes include increased employment competency of youth, increased 
graduation rates, improved math/reading scores, and greater investment 
in the future of our children by the business community.

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