[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 172 (Tuesday, December 21, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2216]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


   MEMORIAM FOR ANNA SUGI, COMMUNITY LEADER AND HEALTH CARE VISIONARY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JERRY LEWIS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 21, 2010

  Mr. LEWIS of California. Madam Speaker, I would like to join today 
with my friend and colleague Congressman Buck McKeon in a memoriam to 
Anna Sugi, a community leader and pioneering advocate for women's 
health issues in her hometown of Apple Valley, California. Ms. Sugi 
passed away Dec. 16, but will be long-remembered by her friends and 
supporters.
  A native of Brindisi, Italy, Anna Sugi came to Apple Valley in 1982, 
when her husband Ron Sugi was stationed at the former George Air Force 
Base in California's High Desert region.
  After an education in health care, Anna Sugi took a job as an office 
clerk in a local medical office. Over 20 years, she worked her way up 
to become the chief administrative officer of Choice Medical Group, a 
High Desert medical provider that has specialized in women's health. 
Under her leadership, the group established a Health and Wellness 
Center in 2008, focusing on helping women through the process of aging.
  Working to expand health outreach efforts to the all members of the 
community, Anna Sugi in 2000 founded the Today's Woman Expo. The first 
events drew a few hundred people for information on preventive health 
care and providing tools to help women improve their lives and physical 
well-being.
  The event has grown tremendously, serving more than 2,000 women 
annually in the past few years. They are provided free breast exams, 
career counseling and an expanding range of services. Today's Woman is 
now a non-profit foundation that provides health screenings throughout 
the year and raises funds for scholarships and grants to High Desert 
women.
  Beyond her pioneering work with the Expo, Anna Sugi has served on the 
Chamber of Commerce Legislative Committee and is a 13-year member of 
Rotary International Victorville Chapter. She has worked with High 
Desert Resources Network on programs to fight childhood obesity. She 
was honored in 2009 by the Victorville Daily Press as one of the area's 
Most Inspiring Women.
  Even as she became a leader in bringing women's health care to the 
entire community, Anna Sugi waged her own quiet battle against breast 
cancer. Yet she continued working hard on expanding women's health 
services until dying peacefully at age 50. In addition to her legacy of 
service, Ms. Sugi leaves a personal legacy in her children, Mark and 
Michelle, who will both graduate from UCLA Medical School in June and 
plan to continue her work in community health.
  Madam Speaker, Anna Sugi was respected and loved throughout the High 
Desert region. A group of physicians have already raised $35,000 for 
the Anna Sugi Endowment Fund to provide scholarships for needy 
students. I ask my colleagues to join Congressman McKeon and me in 
offering condolences to her family, and in praising the life and legacy 
of this community leader.

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