[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 291]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



SOUTH BRONX MENTAL HEALTH COUNCIL, INC., NINTH PATIENT RECOGNITION AND 
                            EMPOWERMENT DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSE E. SERRANO

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, January 31, 2000

  Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to once again pay tribute to 
the South Bronx Mental Health Council, Inc., which tomorrow will 
celebrate its ninth annual ``Patient Recognition and Empowerment Day.''
  Created in 1968 as Lincoln Community Mental Health Center, the South 
Bronx Mental Health Council, Inc., is a community-based organization 
which provides treatment and mental health services to the local 
population and to area schools and senior centers. It is committed to 
helping empower its patients and their families through the 
rehabilitation of patients and their reintegration in their 
communities.
  All of us, I am sure, have known someone who, whether we were aware 
of it or not, struggled with some form of mental illness. Tragically, a 
suicide or other crisis is all too often our first--and only--
indication of the individual's suffering.
  While it is important, and appropriate, to recognize the care givers 
who provide these services, it is even more important that those 
individuals who have made special efforts to overcome their challenges 
also receive our attention and support.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in saluting our friends 
at the South Bronx Mental Health Council, who on Friday, January 28, 
will celebrate the eighth annual Patient Recognition and Empowerment 
Day.

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