[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 73 (Monday, April 27, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E375]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING THE HOUCHIN COMMUNITY BLOOD BANK ON ITS 75TH ANNIVERSARY

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                            HON. VINCE FONG

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 27, 2026

  Mr. FONG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Houchin Community 
Blood Bank as they celebrate their 75th Anniversary. For the past 75 
years, Houchin Community Blood Bank has been a lifeline connecting 
donors and patients in need across all of Kern County's hospitals, and 
in doing so, became a staple of our local community. Since its 
creation, Houchin's mission has been simple: ``protect the local blood 
supply so patients in Kern County are not left waiting.'' Today, we 
honor their hard work, sacrifice, and constant devotion to helping 
others, as we join them in celebration.
  Until Houchin's founding in 1951, Kern County had no community blood 
bank. Blood had to be transported from Los Angeles or San Francisco and 
would take at least a day to arrive; a time frame far too slow for the 
residents of Kern County whose lives were on the line. In light of 
these difficulties, members of the Kern County Medical Society asked 
their fellow member Elmer Houchin to help secure them a permanent site 
to build on. Through the Houchin Foundation, Elmer donated land on G 
Street in downtown Bakersfield as well as an endowment in memory of his 
mother, Sarah Alice Houchin. The blood bank's doors opened in April of 
1951, and within a year the bank's original name ``Kern Community Blood 
Bank'' was changed to ``Houchin Community Blood Bank'' in honor of the 
family who made its opening possible.
  Houchin currently works with local hospitals such as Bakersfield 
Memorial, Kern Medical, and Bakersfield Heart Hospital, as well as 
organizations such as the Comprehensive Blood and Cancer Center and 
Dignity Health Group. Their organization shares resources across all 50 
states and is affiliated with some of the Nation's most trusted blood 
supply organizations. They are currently working tirelessly on key 
projects like the Pre-Hospital Transfusion Initiative, and a Capital 
Campaign to raise funds and awareness.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in commending Jonathan 
Bautista, Houchin's CEO, and his staff at Houchin for their support for 
the people of Kern County. It is thanks to them that the lives of 
residents are saved every day. I join all those gathered here in 
wishing them continued success and look forward to seeing their 
continued part in Kern County's future as a leader among its medical 
professionals.

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