[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 69 (Friday, April 27, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E570]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            CONGRATULATING SALINAS VALLEY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

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                           HON. JIMMY PANETTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 27, 2018

  Mr. PANETTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join 
me in congratulating the Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital on its 65th 
anniversary.
  In 1941 Bruce Church, a local businessman and philanthropist, had a 
vision to build a hospital for the people of Salinas. He donated land 
to the project and twelve years later his vision became a reality. In 
recognition of this philanthropic endeavor, President Dwight D. 
Eisenhower sent Mr. Church a letter congratulating him which read, 
``The people of the Salinas Valley have every right to be proud of this 
admirable example of local self-reliance and initiative.''
  On April 20, 1953, the 138-bed hospital triumphantly opened its 
doors, supported by one-hundred employees and forty-five physicians. 
The hospital's founders envisioned a technologically advanced hospital 
of the highest quality to serve the residents of the Salinas Valley. 
Salinas Valley Memorial has lived up to the founders' vision in 
providing state of the art health care services.
  Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital has grown to hold 266 beds and 
employs 1,600 people and 300 board certified physicians with a myriad 
of specialties. The hospital's successful medical research and use of 
revolutionary health care technology has been facilitated by its bold 
partnerships with both local organizations and leading global 
institutions for science and medicine, such as NASA and Stanford 
University.
  Salinas Valley Memorial provides comprehensive health care and offers 
patients a variety of specialty care by working with partners to 
address important health issues like diabetes, obesity, and cancer. 
This hospital's dedication to expanding health care into underserved 
communities has fostered increased education and wellness, allowing the 
diverse citizenry to make permanent lifestyle choices for a healthy 
community.
  I am honored to recognize the Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital and 
the many contributions it has made to the Central Coast of California. 
It has bolstered and encouraged the health and well-being of our 
community throughout the last sixty-five years. Through investing in 
the latest medical technologies, conducting clinical research, and 
providing education to the community, this hospital has, from its 
inception, played an invaluable role in the lives of the residents of 
the Salinas Valley.
  We continue to be proud of the Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital and 
everyone who has been involved in its extraordinary work and mission 
over the last sixty-five years. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues 
in the house join me in congratulating the Salinas Valley Memorial 
Hospital for a triumphant sixty-five years of excellence.

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