[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 50 (Tuesday, March 27, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E453-E454]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING MS. PHILLIS OETERS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MARIO DIAZ-BALART

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 27, 2012

  Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Mr. Speaker, in recognition of Women's History month 
I rise today to honor Ms. Phillis Oeters, an outstanding individual who 
has continuously supported the South Florida community.
  Ms. Oeters currently serves as the Corporate Vice President of 
Government and Community Relations for Baptist Health South Florida, 
the largest not-for-profit healthcare organization in the region. As 
Corporate Vice President, Ms. Oeters is responsible for strategic 
planning of government and community relations, developing a state and 
federal legislative agenda consisting of health-care funding, insurance 
regulation, and general health policy development.
  Additionally, Ms. Oeters serves on many community boards including 
the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, where she will assume the 
position of Chairman in June 2012. She also serves on the boards of 
Beacon Council, United Way, Nat Moore Foundation, Orange Bowl, among 
many others. From 2003 to 2008, she was Chairman of the Board of the 
Neurologically Injured Compensation Fund for the State of Florida, a 
billion dollar fund responsible for caring for children injured at 
birth. Ms. Oeters is a founding member and former Chairman of the 
President's Council of 100 for Florida International University.
  Ms. Oeters has been a long-time supporter of the American Red Cross 
and was Chairman of the Board for Greater Miami and the Keys Chapter 
for three years. Amongst her countless duties she has chaired the 
Spectrum Awards for Women since 1997. She was recently recognized for 
her community service by receiving ``The Champion of Fundraising 
Award'' and ``Building our Community Humanitarian of the Year Award'' 
from the March of

[[Page E454]]

Dimes. The American Cancer Society awarded her the ``Inner Circle of 12 
Distinction,'' which honors 12 outstanding women for their leadership, 
volunteerism, community involvement and dedication to the ACS mission. 
In addition to her admirable accomplishments, Ms. Oeters finds the time 
to be an adventure traveler, avid sailor, and equestrian. In 1988, she 
was the first woman to win the J/30 North America Sail Championship 
presented by the American Yacht Club.
  Mr. Speaker, I am honored to pay tribute to Ms. Phillis Oeters for 
her continued service to the South Florida community and I ask my 
colleagues to join me in recognizing this extraordinary individual.

                          ____________________