[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Page 15186]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  CELEBRATING THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE LINCOLN PRIMARY CARE CENTER

 Mr. ROCKEFELLER. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the 
Lincoln Primary Care Center, which has served the people of Lincoln 
County, WV, since 1975.
  That year, the residents of Lincoln County opened a small, nonprofit 
health clinic in the storefront of a local grocery store. In 1977, the 
Lincoln County Primary Care Center became the Nation's first federally 
designated Rural Health Care Clinic and, by May of 1991, had been given 
the National Rural Healthcare Association Outstanding Rural Practice 
Award.
  Today, the Lincoln Primary Care Center serves nearly 22,000 area 
residents and reaches out, not only to the people of Lincoln County but 
also to those in parts of Cabell and Wayne Counties. The center is now 
housed within a 17,500 square-foot building that features 33 treatment 
rooms and offers a wide variety of medical services. This includes 
initiatives within the Wellness Center, opened in 2004 to provide 
members of the community with valuable information regarding the 
prevention of chronic disease. This also includes healthy living 
programs that benefit residents of all ages, the Senior Nutrition 
Program, which serves free lunches to anyone over the age of 55, and 
the exercise facility, which is used by at least 50 people each day.
  As I have said before, West Virginia is a rural State and, in many 
areas, access to quality health care is problematic. This is especially 
true in the case of our seniors, who comprise nearly 15 percent of our 
population and have significant health care needs. That is why it is 
good to know that the Lincoln Primary Care Center offers them high-
quality, accessible care that addresses all aspects of wellness.
  Indeed, it is clear that the Lincoln Primary Care Center plays an 
important role in the community it serves, and a number of West 
Virginians who visit the center have conveyed to me their appreciation 
for it. Ms. Brenda Terry notes the great pleasure she receives from the 
use of the center's exercise facility, and how glad she is to see so 
many friends there. Also, Ms. Mary Richmond tells me that she is 
thankful for the paved walking track, and Ms. Donna Rush describes the 
pleasant atmosphere enjoyed by those who live alone. Finally, Mr. John 
Rush expresses his fondness for the new friendships that he has forged 
during his time there.
  With this praise in mind, I would like to commend the Lincoln Primary 
Care Center as it celebrates its 30th Anniversary and I would like to 
recognize the dedicated service it provides to its community--service 
that can serve as a model for rural health care delivery, now and in 
the future.

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