[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 148 (Friday, August 20, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E907-E908]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING KATHLEEN ANN McCARTY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, August 20, 2021

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor 
Kathleen Ann McCarty for her exceptional career dedicated to 
humanitarian service.
  Kathleen was born in Calexico, California, but soon after relocated 
with her family to Santa Rosa, where she attended Santa Rosa Junior 
College. Her service began when she took a year off from school to 
volunteer at the Chidamoyo Christian Hospital in Zimbabwe. Though never 
part of her original career path, her experiences inspired her to 
pursue a career in nursing. In 1977, she graduated from the University 
of California, San Francisco and

[[Page E908]]

went on to take a position as head nurse in a high-risk obstetrics unit 
in Sacramento while simultaneously obtaining her master's degree in 
nursing in 1981. She returned to Zimbabwe after graduation where she 
lived for nearly 40 years except for a few years in the nineties, when 
she returned to the U.S. to undergo cancer treatment. Following her 
recovery, she worked as a nurse at the Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital for 
one year before returning to Zimbabwe.
  Under her leadership as the Clinical Officer at Chidamoyo Hospital, 
Kathleen was able to restart childhood immunization programs and 
initiated a program for routine antenatal tetanus immunization, which 
has nearly eliminated newborn tetanus in Zimbabwe. In 2000, Kathleen 
began a program for antiviral treatment for pregnant mothers in labor, 
which helped drop AIDS transmission in Zimbabwe to under 10 percent. 
Kathleen's contributions have helped create 16 child vaccine clinics, 
seven HIV clinics, and have expanded the capacity of the hospital to 
100 beds. Additionally, she created a scholarship program which 
supports the education of 250 young girls.
  Kathleen was undeterred by health complications or by unpredictable 
events such as a fire that destroyed much of the hospital, a 
devastating outbreak of cholera, and even a break-in by local thieves 
demanding money. In September of 2020, Kathleen was diagnosed with a 
terminal malignancy and returned to the U.S. for treatment. She fought 
her illness with grace and never lost her sense of humor. Sadly, after 
40 years of service, Kathleen passed away on May 26, 2021.
  Madam Speaker, there is no doubt that Kathleen Ann McCarty's 
achievements will leave a tremendous impact for generations to come. It 
is fitting and proper that we honor her here today.

                          ____________________