[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 36 (Thursday, February 25, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E167]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





         TRIBUTE TO THE SANTA CRUZ COUNTY MEDICAL RESERVE CORPS

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                           HON. ANNA G. ESHOO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 25, 2021

  Ms. ESHOO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the Santa 
Cruz County Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) which recently celebrated 
sixteen years of service to our community since its founding in 2005.
  After the terrible events of 9/11 and the anthrax attacks that 
followed soon after, MRC units were formed to organize, train, and 
equip local volunteers to assist public health agencies and the medical 
community in emergency preparedness and response to all-hazards 
incidents.
  Santa Cruz County MRC volunteers have responded with vigor and 
effectiveness to numerous incidents, including disease outbreaks, 
catastrophic wildfires, floods, power outages, and today's COVID-19 
pandemic. MRC volunteers have assisted with case investigations, 
contact tracing, infection prevention, sheltering of the homeless, the 
CZU fire evacuation and sheltering of those needing a place to live. As 
vaccine has become available, MRC volunteers have been on the 
frontlines of vaccinating disabled homebound elders and supporting mass 
vaccination clinics. The contributions of medical volunteers have 
helped public health build the community's resilience and its ability 
to respond to future disasters.
  Madam Speaker, I ask the entire House of Representatives to join me 
in honoring the Santa Cruz County Medical Reserve Corps. They have 
strengthened our community and set an example for other volunteer 
organizations to emulate. I thank them and I ask my colleagues to do so 
also. Their work is exemplary and they are bright stars in the 
firmament of the 18th Congressional District.

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