[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 134 (Friday, August 9, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1041]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                SALT LAKE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT AWARD

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                            HON. BEN McADAMS

                                of utah

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, August 9, 2019

  Mr. McADAMS. Madam Speaker, public health departments have long 
provided a line of first defense, protecting the well-being of local 
communities. From monitoring air and water, to inspecting food safety 
in restaurants, to offering life-saving vaccines, public health 
department employees serve tirelessly. Utah's largest public health 
department is now getting well-deserved national recognition for its 
service.
  The Salt Lake County Health Department has been honored as ``Health 
Department of the Year'' by the voice of the nation's nearly 3,000 
local government health departments--the National Association of County 
and City Health Officials (NACCHO). Judges scored award applicants on 
their innovation and creativity, implementation, impact in the 
community and engagement of community and diverse partners.
  The Salt Lake County Health Department stood out on several fronts, 
including its response to the county's hepatitis A outbreak from 2017 
to 2019; innovative use of real-time public health data; and a new 
public health center in downtown Salt Lake City that features co-
located clinical services provided by Community Health Centers, Inc.
  The award comes the same year that the health department celebrates 
the 50th anniversary of its current form as a combined city-county 
health department, its 120th anniversary as a county agency and its 
170th anniversary of providing public health services to the Salt Lake 
Valley.
  Utahns can go about their daily lives, secure in the knowledge that 
behind the scenes, public health department professionals are on the 
job. Whether it is designing innovative programs to improve air quality 
or providing flu vaccines to prevent illness, the Salt Lake County 
Health Department is an important partner in keeping Utahns safe, 
healthy and able to enjoy an excellent quality of life.

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