[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 5709]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




            ON WORLD HEALTH DAY: WORKING TOGETHER FOR HEALTH

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SILVESTRE REYES

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 6, 2006

  Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of World 
Health Day: Working Together for Health.
  The main focus for this year's celebration is to address the crisis 
in the health workforce. Health workers are the very heart of the 
health system, providing care to those in need. While we are facing a 
nationwide shortage of health workers, we are not alone. There isn't a 
country in the world that is immune to the problem. Emphasis needs to 
be placed on solving the crisis.
  With more than 100 years of experience, the Pan American Health 
Organization (PAHO) has been working hard to improve health and living 
standards in the Western Hemisphere. Recognized by the United Nations, 
PAHO's office in El Paso serves as the Regional Office for the Americas 
of the World Health Organization. PAHO works hard to improve health to 
vulnerable groups that include mothers and children, workers, the poor, 
the elderly, and refugees and displaced persons.
  Established in 1943, the U.S.-Mexico Border Health Association 
(USMBHA) has helped promote a better understanding of health needs and 
problems. I applaud the efforts of the USMBHA for their leadership in 
the area of public health in the border region and their work fostering 
communication between both countries as we work together on common 
health Issues.
  This week, back in my home district of El Paso, Texas, the Pan 
American Health Organization and the U.S.-Mexico Border Health 
Association will be sponsoring a health forum celebrating the work of 
promotoras and promotores from the El Paso del Norte region, which 
includes Texas, New Mexico, and Chihuahua. The event will celebrate the 
dignity and value of those who work hard everyday for health, and I am 
here today to help them in this important celebration.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to join me in supporting 
World Health Day 2006: Working Together for Health, and I thank PAHO 
and the USMBHA for all their tireless efforts in support of better 
healthcare for the people of my community, the U.S.-Mexico border 
region, and the Americas.

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