[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 76 (Tuesday, May 20, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E785-E786]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           CHARLENE FARRELL--HOSPICE OF HUNTINGTON RETIREMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. NICK J. RAHALL II

                            of west virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 20, 2014

  Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, tonight, Hospice of Huntington will honor 
one of its long time stalwarts and earliest leaders. This great 
organization is distinguished by the respect and gratitude of the 
larger community it so ably, and with so much empathy, serves so 
faithfully. One daughter, whose father had been a hospice patient, 
wrote with her ``sincere and heartfelt appreciation'' about the 
``graceful care and gentle mercy shown to my father in his

[[Page E786]]

last days.'' Indeed, there is much to be thankful for this evening.
  In fact, it is no overstatement to say, that for countless families, 
Hospice of Huntington has helped answer many prayers for relief and the 
joy of comfort.
  According to a local news account, this Hospice--with 140 employees 
and more than 300 volunteers, an annual budget of about $12 million a 
year, of which more than 80 percent goes directly to patient services--
serves about 1,000 patients a year in Cabell, Wayne, Lincoln and Mason 
Counties in West Virginia, as well as Lawrence County, Ohio.
  Tonight, there will be much talk--and rightly so--of references to 
angels and angelic acts here on earth. Through my work with 
constituents, in getting them the government services they need and 
deserve, I know for a fact that Hospice of Huntington harbors a host of 
the better angels among us.
  And if there is one on this earth who has guided and grown, directed 
and expanded and led and served the resources, services and programs 
for that host of angels to employ, it is none other than the archangel 
we so thankfully have in Charlene Farrell. Not only does Charlene 
trumpet the potential and possibilities of Hospice's many programs, 
echoing the skills and talents of Gabriel himself, but like Michael, 
she never fails to unsheathe her sword to defend those programs and the 
people who make them possible for the families they serve.
  It is my honor to share these comments about Hospice of Huntington 
and its champion, Charlene, with my colleagues and our Nation. Ours is 
a blessed Nation because we are a giving Nation. Charlene Farrell's 
body of work, her spirit of giving will live on and grow long after she 
has turned the keys and passwords into the able hands of Melanie Hall.
  As Sarah Denman, Chairwoman of the Hospice Board has said, Charlene 
``has created a team that will be able to carry that legacy into the 
future. That's the greatest gift--when you step away, the organization 
will continue at the same level with the same values and the same 
vision.''
  All this, Mr. Speaker, will continue to contribute to the greater 
benefit of the People of the United States.
  Mr. Speaker, I close my remarks honoring Charlene with these lines 
from Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, the ``Ode to Joy'':

     Your magic brings together what custom has sternly divided.
     All men shall become brothers, wherever your gentle wings 
           hover.

  To Charlene, and her husband, Judge Paul Farrell, may your next 
symphony, the one with those seven loving grandchildren, be just as 
complete.

                          ____________________