[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 84 (Wednesday, June 6, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E988]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              IN RECOGNITION OF HOSPICE OF WESTERN RESERVE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 6, 2012

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise to acknowledge the 34th Annual 
Meeting of Hospice of the Western Reserve on May 24, 2012.
  Since 1978, Hospice of the Western Reserve, a community-based, 
mission-driven not-for-profit organization, has provided comfort care 
and emotional support to patients and their families at the end-of-
life. Its mission is ``to provide palliative end-of-life care, 
caregiver support and bereavement services throughout Northern Ohio.''
  Hospice of the Western Reserve is committed to providing ideal 
patient care, regardless of age, race, color, national origin, 
disability or sexual orientation. It celebrates the individual worth of 
each life, and strives to relieve suffering, enhance comfort, promote 
quality of life, foster choice in end-of-life care, and support 
effective grieving.
  Hospice of the Western Reserve affirms the dignity of life, and 
advocates for patient and family comfort and quality during life's 
final phase. The board, staff and volunteers believe that hospice 
patients have the right to continue life to the fullest extent possible 
according to their circumstances. They foster opportunities for 
continued growth and fulfillment.
  Hospice of the Western Reserve's specialized services (including 
AIDS, pediatric, peri-natal, and chronic disease-specific teams) 
provide care and support to patients, families and caregivers wherever 
they call home, whether it be in their home, at an assisted living 
facility, in a hospital, nursing facility or group home, in a county 
jail or at a homeless shelter.
  Hospice of the Western Reserve is not part of a chain or franchise 
and is not owned by anyone but the community. Its services are not 
administered by hospitals, insurance companies or health systems. 
Through exemplary partnerships with the Northern Ohio's premier 
healthcare systems, Hospice of the Western Reserve incorporates state-
of-the-art care and best practices for its patients and their families.
  Hospice of the Western Reserve's involvement with multiple community 
agencies, advisory councils and academic institutions keeps its staff 
and volunteers abreast of emerging trends and allows them to take a 
leadership role in addressing the ever-changing needs of our community. 
Hospice of the Western Reserve has received numerous awards from 
community, professional and non-profit organizations.
  In 2010, Hospice of the Western Reserve provided care to 6,779 
patients and families across Northern Ohio, including care to 1,757 
patients and families at its world-class 42-bed in-patient facility, 
David Simpson Hospice House overlooking Lake Erie. Hospice of the 
Western Reserve is the longest-serving hospice and the largest non-
profit hospice in the State of Ohio.
  Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in congratulating Hospice 
of the Western Reserve at its 34th Annual Meeting as it celebrates its 
long-standing service to the people of Northern Ohio and looks forward 
to many more years of quality care to its patients and their families.

                          ____________________