[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 74 (Tuesday, April 28, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E381]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CONGRATULATING THE HOUCHIN COMMUNITY BLOOD BANK ON ITS 75TH ANNIVERSARY

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                         HON. DAVID G. VALADAO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 28, 2026

  Mr. VALADAO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Houchin 
Community Blood Bank on its 75th anniversary and recognize its decades 
of service providing a safe and reliable blood supply to families in 
Kern County and across the Central Valley.
  Founded in April 1951 through the generosity of C. Elmer Houchin and 
the Houchin Foundation, the blood bank was established in memory of his 
mother, who needed transfusions during her fight with cancer. As the 
first blood bank in Kern County, Houchin made lifesaving care more 
accessible and ensured residents no longer had to travel long distances 
for critical treatment.
  For over 70 years, the Houchin Community Blood Bank has undergone 
several significant improvements to meet the needs of our community. 
Over the past several decades, Houchin has expanded its reach with 
multiple new medical facilities for blood collection and processing. In 
addition, they have upgraded their technologies to ensure the highest 
quality testing and collection. Today, the bank serves all of 
Bakersfield and Kern County through multiple collection and processing 
sites. Thanks to these efforts, and the generosity of countless donors, 
Houchin has helped save more than 3 million lives.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to 
join me in congratulating the Houchin Community Blood Bank on this 
remarkable milestone. As Kern County's only truly local blood provider, 
their commitment to service has greatly contributed to ending the blood 
supply shortage, saved countless lives, and improved access to care.

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