[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 152 (Tuesday, October 20, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2580]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                TRIBUTE TO SISTER JACQUELINE BURNS, S.C.

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BILL PASCRELL, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 20, 2009

  Mr. PASCRELL. Madam Speaker, I would like to call to your attention 
the work of an outstanding individual, Sister Jacqueline Burns, who was 
recognized by the St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center Foundation with 
the 2009 William F. Johnson Award for her many years of dedicated 
service to the people of her community.
  It is only fitting that she be honored in this, the permanent record 
of the greatest democracy ever known, for she has been a true public 
servant and someone whose spiritual commitment has helped to enhance 
countless lives.
  Sr. Jacqueline has been an integral part of advancement towards 
improving healthcare. As the founding chair of St. Joseph's Healthcare 
System, she spearheaded the integration of St. Joseph's Regional 
Medical Center, St. Joseph's Wayne Hospital, St. Joseph's Children's 
Hospital, St. Vincent's Nursing Home, and Visiting Health Services of 
New Jersey. Sr. Jacqueline truly revitalized the mission, vision and 
values of St. Joseph's, and under her leadership, it became the 
region's leading healthcare system.
  Though she is clearly dedicated to healthcare, Sr. Jacqueline's 
passion for education has always been evident. She began her career 
teaching elementary and secondary school where she helped students on 
the path to learning for almost 15 years. She went on to earn multiple 
graduate degrees including a doctorate from Catholic University. Sr. 
Jacqueline soon returned to her alma mater, The College of St. 
Elizabeth, where she would go on to serve for more than thirty years. 
She was academic dean for ten years and President for sixteen. 
Throughout her time at the college, she sat on many state and national 
organizations' Boards of Trustees, often rising to leadership 
positions. She was a member of the New Jersey Board of Higher Education 
and designed the present governance model used for all policy 
development and approvals for new programs for public and independent 
institutions in the state. In doing this work, she gained extensive 
experience in government relations at both the national and local 
level.
  As a Sister of Charity, Sr. Jacqueline has been elected to every 
General Assembly of the congregation since 1968 when it was first 
begun. She has gone on to chair many of its committees and in 1999, was 
elected to the General Council and filled the position of Treasurer of 
the Sisters of Charity Corporation. She has received many other honors 
throughout the years, and was recently awarded the AMA Lifetime 
Achievement Award.
  The job of a United States Congressman involves much that is 
rewarding, yet nothing compares to learning about and recognizing the 
efforts of exceptional individuals like Sister Jacqueline Burns.
  Madam Speaker, I ask that you join our colleagues, Sister 
Jacqueline's family and friends, all those who have been touched by her 
compassion, and me in recognizing the outstanding and invaluable 
service of Sister Jacqueline Burns.

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