[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 74 (Thursday, May 15, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E754]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING DR. AFAF I. MELEIS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TOM MARINO

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 15, 2014

  Mr. MARINO. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Dr. Afaf I. Meleis, outgoing 
Dean of the University of Pennsylvania's School of Nursing. Dr. Meleis 
has served as Dean for 12 years, and will be truly missed by her 
students and colleagues.
  Dr. Meleis assumed her role as Dean of the University of Pennsylvania 
School of nursing in 2002, and under her leadership, Penn Nursing is 
now regarded as one of the world's most regarded schools of nursing. 
Thanks to Dr. Meleis, Penn Nursing is now internationally renowned for 
their innovative research, teaching and practice and the School has 
established departments of Behavioral Health Sciences and Family and 
Community Health.
  Dr. Meleis is internationally recognized for her work in nursing 
theory and her devotion to the health of women and girls. Dr. Meleis 
has intensified efforts to improve the health of women around the world 
by creating academic partnerships, and developing relationships with 
the United Nations and other international organizations dedicated to 
equity and well-being.
  The first time I met her, my daughter Chloe and I had joined her for 
a CARE learning tour in West Africa, I was so overwhelmed by her 
compassion and dedication. Her expertise and brilliance are quickly 
made known to those around her, but it is her endless humanitarian work 
and advocacy for children which is most admirable. Her work as the Dean 
of Nursing at the University of Pennsylvania, School of Nursing, has 
elevated the program to what it is today: one of the leading nursing 
graduate schools in the world.
  Although I have only known Dr. Meleis for a short time, she has made 
a tremendous impact in Chloe's and my life. I want to congratulate her 
on her long and successful tenure she has served as Dean. She has gone 
above her duty to ensure that the University of Pennsylvania, School of 
Nursing, is regarded as a top tier nursing program, and I wish her the 
best of luck in all of her future endeavors.

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