[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 14]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 19289]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




     EXPRESSING SENSE OF HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES THERE SHOULD BE 
          ESTABLISHED A NATIONAL COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER WEEK

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                               speech of

                           HON. RAHM EMANUEL

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 21, 2003

  Mr. EMANUEL. Mr. Speaker I rise today in support of House Resolution 
240, to establish National Community Health Centers Week. This 
resolution highlights the importance of health centers throughout the 
nation, and aids these organizations in promoting their valuable health 
services to the public.
  Community health centers provide a wide range of essential health 
services, often to uninsured and underinsured individuals. Especially 
in this era when so many Americans remain uninsured, the role of 
community health centers in the health care system is critical. Among 
the important services provided are mental health care, senior care, 
HIV/AIDS services, substance abuse treatment, and immunizations. 
Filling a gap in providing care for low income individuals, including 
those without insurance, community health centers should be recognized 
for their dedication to the improvement of America's public health.
  Thousands of these institutions operate nationwide, and in my own 
district in Illinois, the Melrose Park Family Health Center and the new 
Peterson Family Health Center are examples of the tremendous service 
they provide. More than 5,000 visits were made to the Melrose Park 
Family Health Center within three months after it opened in October 
2002. Serving a wide variety of patients, many of whom have no 
insurance, the Center's most common services include immunizations, and 
treatment for respiratory infections and hypertension. As part of 
Chicago's Citywide Emergency Response Program, the Center also would 
treat victims in the case of a bio-terror attack.
  Mr. Speaker, I applaud Representative Davis and the Members of the 
Committee on Government Reform for introducing this legislation and 
bringing it to the floor today. It highlights the crucial efforts of 
community health centers across the nation that improve and even save 
the lives of numerous Americans on a daily basis.

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