[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 134 (Monday, September 12, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1596-E1597]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  TO COMMEMORATE THE LEADERSHIP OF RACHEL YOSKOWITZ AT JEWISH FAMILY 
                          SERVICES OF DETROIT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. GARY C. PETERS

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 12, 2011

  Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate my friend, Mrs. 
Rachel Yoskowitz, as she departs from Jewish Family Services of Detroit 
and for her lifetime of work and advocacy in the realm of public 
health.
  Rachel has had a long and auspicious career with a record of 
strengthening public health and wellness, not only in the greater 
Detroit area, but across the country. Her decades of work in the field 
of public health span every niche of that realm, from instructing 
healthcare professionals, to directing non-profit health-related 
advocacy groups, to directing state public health programs. Over this 
time she has cultivated a breadth and depth of knowledge which have 
made her a leader in the public health arena taking part in the state 
and national task forces, crafting and implementing statewide programs 
for adolescent health during her time with the Delaware Department of 
Health and Social Services and writing many successful public and 
private grants to develop sustainability of programs she has created.
  During her time in Southeast Michigan, Rachel has worked primarily 
with Jewish Family Services, an agency of the Jewish Federation of 
Metropolitan Detroit. For the first 10 years she directed the 
Immigration and Citizenship program at JFS. Under her direction, JFS 
assisted recently arrived immigrants with assimilation and 
acculturation into metro Detroit, particularly senior citizens. 
Additionally, the program provided continuing support to new residents 
in all stages of the immigration process.

[[Page E1597]]

  In 2004, Rachel began work on Project Chessed, a referral network 
designed to connect medically uninsured adults in Detroit's Jewish 
community with donated and low-cost health care resources to avoid 
inappropriate and costly visits to hospital emergency rooms. Project 
Chessed provides a developed network that links patients to a complete 
host of services, from diagnosis and treatment by physicians and larger 
public health institutions, to affordable prescription drug access. 
This program has served as a model for other communities in Southeast 
Michigan and across the Nation. Through Project Chessed, Rachel has had 
a direct impact on one of the greatest inefficiencies and inequalities 
of our time--access to quality, affordable healthcare.
  Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to recognize Rachel's decades of work on 
behalf of countless Americans across so many communities. I know her 
work in Southeast Michigan with Jewish Family Services and the Jewish 
Federation has greatly assisted many of my constituents and that her 
departure will be deeply felt by those who have benefitted from her 
commitment, passion and professionalism. I wish Rachel and her husband, 
Rabbi Herb Yoskowitz, many more years of productive service to the 
community as she moves into the education sector where her righteous 
deeds will continue to impact so many lives.

                          ____________________