[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 174 (Tuesday, November 15, 2011)]
[House]
[Page H7610]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     HONORING THE COMMONWEALTH HEALTH CENTER VOLUNTEERS ASSOCIATION

  (Mr. SABLAN asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, 25 years ago, a group of forward-thinking 
and civic-minded individuals realized the need for volunteer support 
and fundraising for the new hospital nearing completion in the Northern 
Mariana Islands. So was born the Commonwealth Health Center Volunteers 
Association. The volunteers have made tremendous contributions to our 
hospitals in Saipan, Tinian, and Rota, and have made an appreciable 
difference to the experience of every patient who receives health care 
in the Northern Marianas.
  Since its founding, the group has donated over $2 million in medical 
equipment and supplies. Many of these donations include life-saving 
diagnostic and treatment equipment and other supplies that dramatically 
improve the quality of life for patients and their families.
  The volunteers have withstood the many challenges that have faced our 
community over the past 25 years, and I think that's a good indication 
of their ability to successfully navigate the next 25.
  Please join me in celebrating the wonderful men and women who founded 
and over the years staffed and supported the Commonwealth Health Center 
Volunteers Association.
  Mr. Speaker, 25 years ago, there were two important developments to 
better serve the health needs of the people of the Northern Mariana 
Islands. One was the opening of the Commonwealth Health Center; the 
other, less publicly recognized, but also of great significance, was 
the formation of the Commonwealth Health Center Volunteers Association. 
A group of forward-thinking and civic-minded individuals realized the 
need for volunteer support and fundraising for the new hospital. An 
initial meeting was organized by the late Dr. Jose T. Villagomez, 
Gregorio S. Calvo, Juanita Dortch, Angie V. Guerrero, Norma Matthews, 
and Rosa T. Palacios. These founding individuals, and the many more who 
have answered the call for volunteers, have made critical contributions 
to the availability and quality of health care in our local community.
  As in every corner of our country, we in the Northern Marianas have 
always faced the issue of bridging the gap between providing affordable 
health care and what the true cost of that care is. The CHC Volunteers 
Association has made tremendous contributions to our hospitals and has 
made an appreciable difference to the experience of every patient who 
receives health care in the Northern Marianas. Since its founding, the 
group has donated over $2 million in medical equipment and supplies 
which have benefited health care needs on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota. 
Many of these donations include lifesaving diagnostic and treatment 
equipment such as telemetry machines, nebulizers, and hemodialysis 
chairs. In fact, they have been responsible for the purchase of two 
mammography diagnostic units over the years. The availability of 
equipment such as this means lives have been saved. It also means our 
residents do not need to travel to receive medical care with the 
frequency they once did. The group's current goal is to raise funds for 
a hyperbaric chamber, which will cost approximately a quarter million 
dollars. This will help doctors heal their patients more effectively. 
Many of our residents suffer from diabetes, and the hyperbaric chamber 
can be used to assist in healing persistent wounds in these patients 
and decrease the need for amputations. Many of our residents and 
tourists alike enjoy deep-sea diving, and the equipment can also be 
used to provide lifesaving treatment in the event an individual suffers 
decompression illness. Other supplies the Volunteers provide are not 
lifesaving, but dramatically improve the quality of life for patients: 
new bedsheets, televisions, and reclining chairs, for example. These 
make extended hospital stays more tolerable than they once were.
  All of this has been accomplished through the CHC Volunteers' 
unwavering commitment to improving the quality of health care in the 
Northern Marianas. Every year, the group sets about fundraising with an 
awe-inspiring vigor: they host a Thanksgiving raffle, an annual 
Christmas bazaar, walkathons, concerts, and pancake breakfasts, just to 
name a few. The Volunteers have supported our community in other 
important ways as well, such as sponsoring health conferences and 
public education programs. They have also served as an important link 
between the Commonwealth Health Center and other charitable 
organizations and businesses. The Volunteers have come a long way since 
their initial fundraising, which was accomplished by selling cold 
drinks and snacks from two portable coolers at the hospital. They now 
operate a full-service gift shop at the hospital to help fund their 
endeavors.
  A testament to the enduring nature of the CHC Volunteers Association 
is that some of the original volunteers are still actively involved. 
Twenty-five years after committing to do what they could to improve 
local health care, Mrs. Amparo LG Tenorio, Mrs. Rita V. Tenorio, and 
Mrs. Rieko M. Guerrero are still volunteering. The Volunteers have 
withstood the many challenges that have faced our community over the 
past 25 years, and I think that's a good indication of their ability to 
successfully navigate the next 25. Their continued success not only 
benefits hospital patients, but it serves our entire population. It is 
important for the youth of today to see all that can be accomplished 
through good intentions and hard work. The group also serves as a 
constant reminder of the importance of volunteerism, which is alive and 
well in the Northern Mariana Islands.
  Please join me in celebrating the wonderful men and women who 
founded, and over the years staffed and supported, the Commonwealth 
Health Center Volunteers Association.

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