[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 118 (Friday, July 31, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2115]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING THE VIRGINIA GARCIA MEMORIAL HEALTH CENTER

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. DAVID WU

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 30, 2009

  Mr. WU. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the significant and 
enduring contributions of the Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center 
and all community health workers in Oregon.
  Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center was founded in 1975 following 
the tragic death of 6-year old Virginia Garcia. Accompanying her 
parents from Texas to Oregon to work in the strawberry fields, an 
untreated foot wound turned deadly when Virginia couldn't get basic 
medical treatment because of linguistic and cultural barriers. In an 
effort to prevent similar tragedies from occurring, the community came 
together to establish the Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center.
  As we celebrate Migrant Farmworker Health Day and recognize our 
special partners--Providence Health System, Marie Napolitano, and 
Rosalia Ginsberg--it is important to take a moment and reflect on how 
far we've come.
  Today Virginia Garcia employs 300 people and provides high-quality, 
comprehensive, and culturally appropriate services to more than 30,000 
patients a year in Washington and Yamhill counties. It operates four 
primary care clinics, three dental offices, and two school-based health 
centers, as well as providing outreach to schools, community centers, 
and migrant and seasonal farm workers through its mobile clinic.
  Without clinics like Virginia Garcia and its network of community 
partners it isn't clear where many of our region's most vulnerable 
residents would turn for essential, basic health care. I applaud 
Virginia Garcia's commitment to providing important health care 
services to the residents of the 1st Congressional District and stand 
by its mission to eliminate barriers to access.
  It is an honor for me to recognize the Virginia Garcia Memorial 
Health Center and its special partners for their contributions to 
health in Oregon.

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