[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 9770]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE VISITING NURSE ASSOCIATION OF 
                     PORTER COUNTY HOSPICE PROGRAM

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 19, 2013

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is with great respect and admiration 
that I recognize the Visiting Nurse Association, VNA, of Porter County 
Hospice Program as the organization celebrates its 30th anniversary. In 
honor of this momentous occasion, the VNA Hospice is hosting a 
celebratory event on Saturday, June 22, 2013 at Central Park Plaza in 
Valparaiso, Indiana.
   The VNA Hospice Program was established in 1983 with the goal of 
providing comfort, care, and compassion to terminally ill patients and 
their families in and around the communities of Porter County. The 
program started with only 22 patients and has quickly grown over the 
years, caring for 742 patients in 2012. In 1994, in order to meet the 
growing need for inpatient hospice care, the VNA of Porter County 
opened the 10-bed Mary E. Bartz Hospice Center in Valparaiso, which was 
the first self-supporting hospice center in Indiana. Due to the 
tremendous support of the community through a $2.85 million capital 
campaign, the Arthur B. and Ethel V. Horton 20-bed hospice center was 
built to replace the Bartz Hospice Center in 2002. Throughout the last 
30 years, the VNA Hospice Program has been able to help more than 
11,000 patients live their final days with peace and dignity.
   The VNA of Porter County Hospice Program has been successful due to 
the unwavering dedication of its leadership, volunteers, and staff, 
including nurses, social workers, home health aides, clergy, and 
therapists. Northwest Indiana is not only grateful, but proud to have 
had the organization's support and help during the past 30 years.
   Mr. Speaker, at this time, I ask you and my other distinguished 
colleagues to join me in congratulating the VNA of Porter County 
Hospice Program on their 30th anniversary. For their remarkable 
leadership, commitment, and compassion shown through their service to 
so many in need throughout Northwest Indiana, they are worthy of the 
highest praise.

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