[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 15338]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


                       TRIBUTE TO CRAIG HOSPITAL

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DIANA DeGETTE

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 7, 2007

  Ms. DeGETTE. Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize the remarkable 
history and invaluable contributions of an extraordinary hospital in 
the 1st Congressional District of Colorado. It is fitting that we 
recognize this outstanding institution for its leadership in health 
care and rehabilitation and for its enduring service to the people of 
our community and our Nation. It is to commend this distinguished 
organization that I rise to honor the Craig Hospital on the occasion of 
its 100th Anniversary, ``Celebrating a Century of Rebuilding Lives.''
  The growing importance of innovation in health care to our well being 
as a society and our quality of life is well documented. Craig Hospital 
is a powerful community of hope and it provides people with new 
possibilities. Craig has set the standard for quality patient outcomes. 
It is an internationally recognized leader in health care and has long 
been recognized as a premier national center of excellence in the 
specialties of rehabilitation and research for patients with spinal 
cord injuries and acquired brain injuries.
  From its founding as the ``Tent Colony of Brotherly Love'' in 1907 to 
the world class facility we know today, Craig Hospital continues to be 
a beacon of hope and remains committed to the well being of its 
patients. Rehabilitation is a process very different from traditional 
medical care. It involves teaching patients and families to care for 
themselves. It requires setting high expectations and hard work by 
patients to maximize neurological recovery, restore functional 
abilities and make the psychological adjustments needed to remain as 
independent and productive as possible.
  Since 1956, Craig Hospital has treated more than 25,500 patients--
more spinal cord injury patients than any other single facility in the 
world. Last year, Craig treated patients from 48 states and for the 
past 18 years, it has been ranked among the Top Ten Rehabilitation 
Hospitals by U.S. News and World Report. Its spinal cord and traumatic 
brain injury rehabilitation programs are designated by the U.S. 
National Institute on Disability Rehabilitation and Research (NIDRR) as 
Model Systems Centers. Since 2006, Craig is the NIDRR National Database 
and Statistical Center (HDSC) for the Traumatic Brain Injury Model 
Systems.
  Craig Hospital has burnished a reputation of compassion and legacy of 
care rivaled by very few. Patients have characterized Craig Hospital as 
``a miracle (that is) here for patient care, not for health care 
dollars;'' as ``phenomenal at all they do for patients and families.'' 
It comes as no surprise that Craig Hospital has been awarded Magnet 
Designation--a national honor--by the American Nurses Credentialing 
Center for its excellence in staff collaboration and teamwork and for 
the spirit of inquiry among bed-side nurses as to what is best for 
patient care. Truly we, as residents of the 1st Congressional District, 
are fortunate indeed to have an asset of such magnitude in our 
community.
  Please join me in commending Craig Hospital for its 100 years of 
leadership in health care and its invaluable service to our community 
and our Nation. It is the commitment and dedication that Craig Hospital 
and members of its staff exhibit on a daily basis which continually 
enhances our lives and builds a better future for all of our people.

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