[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 23667]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    CONGRATULATING MARIELA AGUILLON

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MICHAEL C. BURGESS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 25, 2005

  Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Ms. Mariela 
Aguillon for receiving the PacifiCare Latino Health Scholarship.
  Since 2003, PacifiCare has awarded $356,000.00 to 155 deserving 
students in the Latino Health Scholars program. This program was 
created to educate students about career opportunities for Hispanics 
and Latinos in the healthcare field. In order to qualify for this 
$2,000.00 scholarship, applicants are required to demonstrate a grade 
point average of 3.0 or better and be fluent in Spanish and English. In 
addition, applicants must be enrolled in an approved health care 
program at a university, community college or accredited technical 
college.
  According to the Office of Minority Health, there is a nationwide 
shortage of bilingual and bicultural professionals in the health care 
field. Specifically, the shortage of Spanish speaking personnel in 
nursing and other allied health professions, coupled with the growth of 
the Latino population in the United States, requires training and 
recruitment of an ever-greater number of qualified professionals. Mr. 
Russell Bennett, Vice President of PacifiCare's Latino Health 
Solutions, notes that the Latino Health Scholars program has ``made a 
positive difference in the lives of these deserving youths who are 
beginning their journey toward realizing their academic and 
professional aspirations.''
  I extend my sincere congratulations to Ms. Mariela Aguillon on 
receiving this scholarship funded by the PacifiCare Foundation. As a 
doctor of over 21 years, I commend Ms. Aguillon's dedication and desire 
to help others by pursuing a career in the health care profession.

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