[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 15 (Tuesday, January 31, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E91]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      IN HONOR OF DR. RAMA KHALSA

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 31, 2012

  Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the career of Dr. Rama 
Khalsa, who retired as the Director of Health Services of Santa Cruz 
County in the state of California. Not only was she a leader in the 
field of health services, but also in mental health. During her thirty-
five years of service in the health care field, Rama was an advocate 
for reducing the costs and improving the quality of health services for 
low-income and uninsured residents of the county.
   Her career began in 1976 as a Juvenile Court Psychologist in the San 
Bernardino County Probation Department, and then segued into mental 
health which has been her career. She has won numerous awards, 
participated in many research projects, has been awarded honors and 
doctorate degree, but is most proud of her accomplishments in the field 
of community access to mental health services.
   She was a founder and first Chair of the Health Safety Net Clinic 
Coalition of Santa Cruz County, promoted the potential of Health 
Information Technology in the last decade, and was a key leader in the 
development of the local children's health coverage program for Santa 
Cruz, Monterey, and Merced Counties.
   During my tenure in the California State Legislature we worked 
together on the revision of the California Mental Health Master Plan 
Act to upgrade services and make mental health treatment more 
accessible in our state.
   Rama has been an active member of the Board of Directors of Central 
Coast Alliance for Health, served on various committees, and has given 
her time for the Health Services Agency, Health Improvement Partnership 
Council, Safety Net Clinic Coalition, Health Information Technology, 
and Santa Cruz Health Information Exchange.
   After thirty-five years of public service, Rama hopes to spend more 
time painting, traveling, volunteering, enjoying classical and Celtic 
music and spending more time with her two children, Siri and Dayal, in 
her retirement. She also plans to continue with health advocacy, grant 
writing and policy work.
   Mr. Speaker, I know I speak for the whole House and the entire 
mental health community in California as I commend Rama Khalsa for all 
she has done and all she will undoubtedly continue to do. I extend my 
most sincere thanks and warmest wishes for her success and much 
happiness in her retirement. We are all blessed by her public service.

                          ____________________