[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 56 (Friday, April 15, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E752]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            HONORING SHRINERS HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN--CHICAGO

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE QUIGLEY

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 15, 2011

  Mr. QUIGLEY. Mr. Speaker, on the 85th anniversary of its founding, I 
rise today to honor and recognize the outstanding impact that the 
Shriners Hospital for Children has had on the lives of children in 
Chicago. It is their mission to provide the highest quality health care 
to all children with orthopedic and neuromusculoskeletal conditions.
  The Shriners founded their first children's hospital in Shreveport, 
Louisiana in 1922, and since then, their network has grown to include 
21 more hospitals. The Chicago facility was founded on March 20, 1926 
in the historic Oak Park District. Here, children are treated for a 
host of orthopedic and neuromusculoskeletal conditions, spinal cord 
injuries, as well as cleft lip and palate. Not only do they provide for 
the needs of the children, the hospital takes into account the needs of 
the whole family throughout all phases of the child's injury and 
recuperation, including free transportation to and from the hospital if 
necessary. Once children are accepted for treatment, they become part 
of the Shriners Hospital System and are provided treatment for all 
facets of their condition.
  All care is provided by an interdisciplinary team which works 
together to integrate the expertise of all appropriate healthcare 
disciplines in one center. In addition to providing treatment for these 
conditions, all Shriners Hospitals for Children are dedicated to 
continuing research in their specific fields and discovering new 
knowledge to better improve the quality of the lives of their patients 
and their families.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize the Shriners Hospital for 
Children in Chicago for its dedication to providing healthcare to 
suffering children without regard to religion, race, nationality, 
disability, or ability of the family to pay. This organization provides 
an invaluable service to the city and has improved the lives of 
countless Chicago children. I thank them once again for their 85 years 
of exceptional services to children in need and their families.

                          ____________________