[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 28 (Tuesday, March 2, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E273]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              IN HONOR OF DELAWARE'S MEDICAL RELIEF GROUPS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL N. CASTLE

                              of delaware

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 2, 2010

  Mr. CASTLE. Madam Speaker, it is with pride and admiration that I 
rise today to pay tribute to the Delaware medical groups that have 
traveled to Haiti over the past month to administer medical relief aid. 
To date, over five dozen individuals have gone to Haiti with Delaware's 
medical teams--including doctors and staff from Alexis I. duPont 
Hospital for Children, Bayhealth Medical Center, Christiana Care Health 
System, and St. Francis Healthcare Services--and a great many more have 
aided in preparing and assisting the teams with logistical planning and 
much needed medical supplies.
  When news of Haiti's devastating earthquake reached members of 
Delaware's medical and disaster response community, plans of aid and 
assistance were immediately underway. Delaware medical professionals 
were on the ground, setting up emergency clinics and treating patients 
within ten days of the earthquake's occurrence, a remarkable feat 
considering the effect the earthquake had on travel into and out of the 
country.
  These medical teams are comprised of truly dedicated individuals, 
individuals who are able to persevere despite the physically and 
mentally demanding nature of medical missions and the inevitable 
frustration and conflict that must attend a catastrophe such as this. 
Each day, all day, they see patients--administering aid and 
medications, performing desperately needed operations, and establishing 
local connections that will prove vital as relief work moves forward. 
They do this amidst logistical challenges and harsh conditions, 
contending with aftershocks, extreme weather, and a lack of shelter, 
supplies and running water. Their support, their efforts, and what they 
have been able to accomplish, including arranging for the transport and 
treatment of critical-need babies who require medical care not 
available to them in Haiti, are remarkable.
  While I know there will be many more groups, organizations, and 
hospitals to thank going forward, I call attention today to the 
Delaware medical teams who have already responded with aid and 
resources in the wake of this major catastrophe. I wish to recognize 
these individuals for their quick response; they knew the importance of 
providing quality medical care and acted with great zeal. I wish to 
recognize them for their tireless dedication; they have worked day and 
night, performing surgeries back-to-back. Finally, I wish to recognize 
them for their continuing compassion; they have set aside, without 
reservation, their own lives in order to help others. Their commitment 
to the Haitian population has been tenacious.
  The efforts of Delaware's medical and disaster response community are 
nothing short of inspirational. These men and women are not just 
medical professionals; they are heroes and role models. They have 
donated their time, their energy, and their hearts. Their efforts have 
been tireless, and I am humbled by that which they have already 
accomplished. I feel great pride in representing a state whose citizens 
are aware of and responsive to the needs and affairs of our global 
community. Catastrophes call for banding together. Delaware's medical 
community has answered that call and, I have no doubt, will continue to 
do so in the coming weeks and months.

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