[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 191 (Monday, November 9, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1009]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              RECOGNIZING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JOSE CAMACHO

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HENRY CUELLAR

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, November 9, 2020

  Mr. CUELLAR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the career and 
service of Mr. Jose Camacho, who has retired after serving 37 years as 
the Executive Director of the Texas Association of Community Health 
Centers (TACHC).
  Armed with his unwavering commitment to improving the lives of those 
less fortunate, Mr. Camacho earned his law degree from the University 
of Texas in 1973 and worked in private practice until 1979 when he 
became the Director of the Farmworker Policy Impact Project at Texas 
Rural Legal Aid in Austin. In 1982 Mr. Camacho became the General 
Counsel for the National Migrant Referral Project and in 1983, he began 
his career with TACHC as General Counsel where he assisted in the 
development of the organization. Mr. Camacho became the Executive 
Director of the Texas Association of Community Health Centers in 1984 
and served in that capacity until his retirement in 2020. Mr. Camacho's 
career was devoted to the development of grassroot, community-
controlled organizations in low-income communities whose purpose is to 
provide comprehensive health care services to medically indigent 
residents. Mr. Camacho's north star has been the Federally Qualified 
Health Care Program which affords low income communities the 
opportunity to mobilize residents around the need for culturally 
appropriate health care services and develop a system of health care 
that is responsive to local residents.
  TACHC is the federally designated primary care association for the 
state and is the link between federal, state, and local entities 
providing health care for Texas' most vulnerable populations. TACHC 
started with a membership of seven (7) community clinics in 1983 
serving approximately 7,500 patients annually. While the organization 
had a humble beginning, Mr. Camacho's forward-thinking and leadership 
helped grow it into the reliable and successful organization that 
exists today. During Mr. Camacho's tenure, TACHC exceeded expectations 
and extended service to over 100 organizations within Texas. As the 
largest network of primary care clinics in Texas, TACHC-member clinics 
have over 550 delivery sites, throughout Texas providing health care to 
over 1.6 million patients annually; approximately 80 percent are 
patients with incomes below poverty. Heavily involved with the Texas 
State Legislature, the United States Congress, local community action 
groups and the American Health Lawyers Association, he initiated 
numerous legislative proposals which improved how health services were 
provided in Texas. Additionally, he initiated cost-saving contracts 
which helped save money for community health centers and allowed them 
to increase and expand valuable services to patients.
  Health centers serve communities suffering from shortages of primary 
medical, dental, or mental health providers. Their mission is to serve 
low-income and uninsured individuals who lack access to quality and 
affordable healthcare. With Texas continuously leading the nation in 
the number of uninsured, now estimated to be well over 5 million in 
2019, Mr. Camacho made it his mission to advocate to the state and 
federal government to strengthen and preserve the health care safety 
net and assisted in the development of health centers in medically 
underserved communities. He negotiated and reviewed legal documents, 
conducted policy analysis, and drafted legislative proposals on behalf 
of TACHC and the community health centers the association serves. In 
additional to his role of General Counsel to TACHC's Board of Directors 
and members, Mr. Camacho provided steadfast support directly to Texas 
Health Centers, keeping them informed, designing and implementing 
training programs related to regulatory requirements, legislative 
changes, industry trends and available opportunities--all with the 
focus on expanding access to care and enhancing both the quality and 
scope of services provided to vulnerable populations across Texas.
  Needless to say, Mr. Camacho has had a tremendous impact on health 
services in Texas, and his work will not be forgotten. His commitment 
to and vision for TACHC laid the foundation for its future success and 
set an example for community health centers throughout Texas. He cares 
deeply about the people he served and consistently showed what it meant 
to be a good leader. He guided--he motivated--he inspired. The 
dedication that he exhibited should be a constant reminder of how we 
should live our daily lives. This recognition is to commemorate Mr. 
Camacho for his loyalty and devotion to others, and for ensuring the 
best quality of health care for all Texans, especially those with 
limited resources.
  As we move forward, let us take the time to also appreciate the 
service of heroes among our community like Mr. Camacho--all those 
individuals who spend their lives committed to service and ensuring 
health and safety of others. In the words of President John F. Kennedy, 
``As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest 
appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.'' And so, we 
take time today to express our gratitude for Mr. Camacho's work. His 
impact on the health status of Texans has been incredible. The example 
he set in his career serves as the model of commitment and dedicated 
service that many of his former colleagues now live by. We are so 
grateful for Mr. Camacho and his life's work. His legacy of service to 
the less fortunate is truly remarkable.
  Madam Speaker, please join me in recognizing the career and service 
of Jose Camacho.

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