[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 8728]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              IN HONOR OF THE RETIREMENT OF BOOKER THOMAS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ANDRE CARSON

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 7, 2012

  Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to congratulate 
Booker Thomas, who has capably served as President and CEO of 
HealthNet, Inc. for well over a decade, on his well-deserved 
retirement.
  Mr. Thomas has devoted his entire distinguished career to public 
health and public safety in predominantly poor and urban neighborhoods 
in cities across the Midwest. As President and CEO of HealthNet, Inc., 
Mr. Thomas oversaw a dramatic expansion resulting in the establishment 
of seven primary care centers, two specialty care centers, and eight 
school-based clinics in order to better serve low-income Hoosiers 
throughout Indianapolis.
  Today, HealthNet provides medical care to 50,000 Hoosiers and is the 
state's largest Federally Qualified Health Center. Under his 
leadership, HealthNet has garnered numerous accolades including the 
Joint Commission's prestigious Gold Seal of Approval. His exceptional 
leadership has positioned HealthNet as a community staple, ensuring 
that those most at risk in the 7th District will continue to have 
access to high-quality medical care.
  Since his arrival to the 7th Congressional District of Indiana, Mr. 
Thomas has been actively engaged in efforts to improve scholastic 
performance. As a board member of Indianapolis-based non-profit 
Learning Well, thousands of students have benefited from improvements 
in their health, well-being and academic performance. I applaud him for 
his devotion to our community.
  Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Booker Thomas for 
being an outstanding community partner, and for the exemplary effort 
and passion he has brought to improving access to health care in the 
7th District of Indiana. I wish him the very best in his retirement.

                          ____________________