[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 120 (Thursday, September 12, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1304]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING THE COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER OF BUFFALO DURING NATIONAL 
                           HEALTH CENTER WEEK

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                           HON. BRIAN HIGGINS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 12, 2013

  Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize National Health 
Center Week and the Community Health Center of Buffalo.
   National Health Center Week was started by the National Association 
of Community Health Centers nearly 30 years ago to raise awareness 
about the noble mission and incredible accomplishments of America's 
Community Health Centers. Health Centers strive to provide local 
solutions for affordable and accessible health care. In recognition of 
their mission, the theme of this year's National Health Center Week is 
``Celebrating America's Health Centers: Transforming Health Care in Our 
Local Communities".
   Community Health Centers provide their services to all who need it, 
regardless of their ability to pay or insurance status. For over 45 
years, these Health Centers have been ranked among the highest quality 
and cost effective care providers in the nation. Today, America's 
Health Centers serve over 22 million people at more than 8,200 delivery 
sites spread far and wide across all 50 states, the District of 
Columbia, Puerto Rico and U.S. territories.
   Established in 1999, the Community Health Center of Buffalo has been 
one of the leading health care providers in our region, providing a 
safety net to the uninsured and under insured. As a provider of 
comprehensive primary care services in medicine and dentistry, their 
services are essential to ensure Western New Yorkers receive quality 
health care.
   Their mission is to provide quality, culturally sensitive, 
preventive and primary healthcare to the underserved of our community 
through state of the art clinical and business practices, while 
promoting a teaching environment and empowering patients in order to 
reduce health disparities.
   In addition to their main location, the Community Health Center has 
a satellite location in Niagara Falls, which is the first Federally 
Qualified Community Health Center in Niagara Falls. The center offers a 
number of medical care services for the entire family.
   Mr. Speaker, thank you for allowing me a few moments to recognize 
the honorable mission of our nation's Community Health Centers, and the 
inspiring work they do to promote public health here in Western New 
York.

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