[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 8]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 11755]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PHOENIXVILLE COMMUNITY HEALTH 
                               FOUNDATION

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JIM GERLACH

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 5, 2008

  Mr. GERLACH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge and honor the 
Phoenixville Community Health Foundation as they celebrate their 10th 
anniversary of service to the greater Phoenixville community.
  The Foundation began as the Phoenixville Health Care Corporation in 
1997. After a year of tirelessly working to create a sustainable 
medical infrastructure and charitable services, the Board of Directors 
embraced the mission of creating a vision of community health for the 
Phoenixville region. The Board of Directors decided to change the name 
of the Phoenixville Health Care Corporation to the Phoenixville 
Community Health Foundation to reflect their desire to implement a 
community health approach. Since June of 1998, the Foundation has 
developed a strong presence in the greater Phoenixville community's 
health sector. Even as the Foundation expanded its operation, the Board 
of Directors ensured that the development of the Foundation was in 
keeping with their original mission and vision.
  Currently, the Foundation is increasing its charitable services and 
working diligently to fulfill the medical needs of the Phoenixville 
residents. The Foundation has achieved its vision of ``championing the 
needs of the community'' and establishes new community health programs 
each year. The exemplary service of the Foundation was formally 
recognized in 2003 with the honorary distinction of ``Outstanding 
Foundation in the Delaware Valley.'' The eventual sale of the 
Phoenixville Hospital added $20.5 million to the Foundation and 
increased their total funding to $48.5 million. Since 1998 the 
Foundation has issued over 1,600 grants to non-profit organizations in 
the Phoenixville community.
  Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating the 
great men and women of The Phoenixville Community Health Foundation as 
they celebrate 10 years of protecting the health and wellness of 
Phoenixville area residents. The contributions and hard work of every 
member of the Foundation have strengthened Phoenixville's community 
health programs and ensured that the Foundation will be a cherished 
part of our community culture for many years to come.

                          ____________________