[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 101 (Tuesday, June 14, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E615]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING LUISA CANESTRI HOWARD ON THE OCCASION OF HER RETIREMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 14, 2022

  Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise 
today during National Nurses Week to join the VA Connecticut Healthcare 
System in extending my heartfelt congratulations to Luisa Canestri 
Howard. Luisa is not only a special part of the VA Connecticut family, 
she is also one of my closest cousins and I am so proud to have the 
opportunity to recognize her for her outstanding career in nursing.
  Luisa began her career at the West Haven VA in January of 1982. Luisa 
had a special place in her heart for our nation's veterans and she 
wanted to use her talents to help improve their lives and support their 
healthcare needs. Her first station was as a staff nurse on G 5 East 
which was a medical floor. She then moved to a staff nurse on the 
Medical ICU, then worked in Cardiology research. After that she became 
the Nurse Manager of the Specialty Clinics. As a staff nurse Luisa held 
certifications in Medical Surgical nursing and in Research Nursing. In 
2007 she was awarded the Nightingale award for excellence in nursing 
and in 2009 she was awarded the VISN1 Distinguished Federal Manager 
Award.
  IN 2013 Luisa started her current role as Nurse Manager of Case 
Management where she became responsible for the day-to-day operations 
of the unit. Luisa has provided remarkable leadership, encouragement, 
and instruction to those who have served in her department. Her 
colleagues say ``Luisa is a true veteran advocate who always does the 
right thing in every situation. She is a true mentor to our nurses and 
provides unwavering support to all members of our team and especially 
to our veterans.''
  For the last forty years, Luisa has dedicated her professional career 
and personal compassion to nursing and providing the best possible care 
for our veterans. I can clearly remember my aunt talking about how she 
always dreamed of being a nurse but for many reasons was unable to 
achieve that dream. Luisa became the nurse her mother always wanted to 
be, fulfilling that dream, and exceeding all her mother's brightest 
wishes. It is so fitting that her retirement comes during National 
Nurses Week so that we may pay tribute to Luisa Canestri Howard and the 
remarkable career she has led. I wish her all the best for many more 
years of health and happiness as she begins this new life chapter.

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