[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 16933]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                   HONORING THE CHILDREN'S INN AT NIH

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. CONSTANCE A. MORELLA

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 27, 2000

  Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize and celebrate the 10th 
Anniversary of the Children's Inn at the National Institute of Health, 
located in Bethesda, Maryland. The Children's Inn has provided the 
critical service of a warm, friendly, and comfortable environment for 
seriously ill pediatric patients and their families since June of 1990.
  The NIH is the premier biomedical research facility in the world. 
Children from across the nation and around the world regularly travel 
to the NIH to receive extraordinary treatments for many illnesses and 
disorders. While patients receive their medical treatments, the 
Children's Inn provides a comforting, stable environment for families 
going through the emotionally draining experience of treating a 
seriously ill child.
  During the past 10 years, nearly 4,000 children and their families 
have made 23,263 visits to The Children's Inn. The facility provides a 
welcome solace for both patients and families. A warm group of staff 
members and volunteers assure that each resident of the Children's Inn 
is comfortable and feels at home. At the end of long days filled with 
tests and treatments, the young patients are greeted at the Inn with a 
variety of activities. The children can enjoy arts and crafts, bingo, 
movies, video games, computers, and the fellowship of other children 
sharing similar experiences.
  Families staying at the Children's Inn are provided a 24-hour support 
network of gracious and compassionate staff, volunteers, and other 
parents caring for children. This provides an invaluable resource in 
boosting morale, and makes the treatment process not only bearable, but 
also enjoyable for both patients and family members.
  A recent story in a local Montgomery County, Maryland newspaper told 
the story of a mother of a terminally ill child who was a resident at 
The Children's Inn on various occasions. Speaking of the positive 
influence the Children's Inn has had on her family, she said, ``The Inn 
was one of the greatest gifts I could receive.''
  Congratulations to the Children's Inn for 10 years of devoted service 
to our community. Keep up the great work!

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