[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 8]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 11449]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  TRIBUTE TO CAPT. AMY BARKIN FOR 30 YEARS OF SERVICE WITH THE UNITED 
                      STATES PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOHN W. OLVER

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 4, 2008

  Mr. OLVER. Madam Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today 
to recognize CAPT Amy C. Barkin, who is retiring from the United States 
Public Health Service after a distinguished 30 year career. Her unique 
contributions as a nationally recognized clinician, public health 
expert, and skilled administrator have had a profound impact on health 
care in this country.
  During her career, she made numerous contributions to the State of 
Massachusetts. CAPT Barkin planned and implemented three health care 
programs for retarded and mentally ill patients in state facilities in 
western Massachusetts (Belchertown, Monson and Northampton State 
Hospitals), using resources gained at the University of Massachusetts 
Medical Center. She established on-site specialty health care clinics, 
recruited on-site medical, health, and support staff and brought health 
care to a disenfranchised population. Additionally, she designed and 
opened a 25-bed inpatient psychiatric unit at the then new University 
of Massachusetts Medical Center.
  CAPT Barkin worked with community mental health centers in 
Massachusetts and New England. She introduced the concept of mental 
health to Boston's Italian speaking community of the North End and 
drafted a grant for mental health center funding. As the only bilingual 
clinical counselor at the time, CAPT Barkin designed and implemented a 
program that would be accepted by the residents. The mental health 
program, located in Boston's North End Health Center, has been in 
operation for over 30 years and plays a vital role in the community.
  The State of Massachusetts is particularly indebted to CAPT Barkin 
for her focus on teenage alcohol abuse prevention and drunk driving 
that resulted in the increased delivery of comprehensive, coordinated 
substance abuse care in Massachusetts and other New England states.
  Please join me in congratulating CAPT Amy Barkin on her retirement 
after a 30 year career with the United States Public Health Service. 
Her focus on access to alcohol, drug abuse, mental health and primary 
health care services is commendable and laudable and although she is 
retiring, her legacy will continue to make the Nation a healthier and 
safer place.

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