[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 166 (Friday, October 5, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1372-E1373]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CONGRATULATING INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICES ON 45 YEARS OF 
                                SERVICE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ADAM SMITH

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 5, 2018

  Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate 
International Community Health Services (ICHS) on 45 years of dedicated 
service to the community.
  ICHS was founded in the 1970s when a group of advocates emphasized 
one of the City of Seattle's underserved populations. These advocates 
recognized elderly, low-income, Asian immigrants did not have a place 
where they could receive healthcare, and be properly informed about 
their health decisions. This small group of advocates, took it upon 
themselves to create change, and opened a small clinic--the Asian 
Community Health Clinic. They started this clinic with the goal of 
providing culturally and linguistically appropriate services to those 
who needed it.
  As the years went by, their small clinic grew both in size and in the 
range of services they offered, and changed its name to International 
Community Health Services. Today, ICHS is larger than ever, having 
expanded to provide dental care and a vision clinic. Not only have they 
expanded, but they have also stayed true

[[Page E1373]]

to their founding priorities, and offer healthcare services to an ever 
growing list of minority populations providing in-language medical 
services for elderly citizens in over 50 languages.
  ICHS reflects some of the best elements of our community. They took a 
problem that affected a large group of underserved people, and decided 
to take it upon themselves to work towards resolving it. Healthcare in 
this country is an area where there is still a lot of work to do. Good 
healthcare is still unattainable to many in this country which is why I 
am grateful to ICHS for making a difference in this area.
  This February marked the 45th anniversary of the founding of ICHS, 
and I look forward to hearing about the important work they do in the 
coming years.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with great honor that I recognize ICHS for their 
essential work in the 9th District and the surrounding area, and I wish 
them continued success in their mission.

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