September 27, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1227 offers peer support services at four centers in emphasis on academic research in many dif- RECOGNIZING MS. GAYLE BRIDGES Michigan, aiding dozens of communities ferent areas of study leading to further ad- HARRIS ON THE OCCASION OF across the state. Decades after its establish- vancements in the understanding of both our HER RETIREMENT FROM 47 ment, Ele’s Place still works tirelessly to find natural world and the human condition. YEARS OF PUBLIC HEALTH new ways to support children experiencing SERVICE loss and is fully dedicated to reaching its mis- Through these past 200 years, Hoosier stu- sion of ensuring no child in Michigan ever has dents have displayed their excellence in the HON. G. K. BUTTERFIELD to grieve alone. The efforts of Ele’s Place are academic, athletic and cultural arenas, amass- OF NORTH CAROLINA critical and have a real impact on our commu- ing numerous Rhodes Scholar, Marshall IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES nity, as its services help hundreds of children Scholar, and MacArthur Fellow honors in the Friday, September 27, 2019 and teens each week. classroom, as well as multiple Big Ten Con- Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join ference and NCAA Championships in Men’s Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Madam Speaker, l rise to recognize a great American and public me in honoring Ele’s Place for its commitment and Women’s sports. Over the last 200 years servant, Ms. Gayle Bridges Harris of Durham, to grieving children throughout Michigan and many notable Hoosiers have left their mark on congratulate the organization on the opening North Carolina. Lauded as a skilled and re- our society. The university has produced world of its new home in Ann Arbor. We are grateful sourceful community builder and valued public political leaders, cabinet members, titans of in- for its impact on the children of our community health leader in Durham, NC, Ms. Harris will and wish it continued success ahead. dustry and commerce, cutting-edge scientific be retiring after 47 years of faithful and dedi- f researchers, artists, Olympians, musicians, cated service to the health and well-being of and entertainers. all those she served. I am honored to share RECOGNIZING INDIANA In addition to the world-renowned under- with my colleagues in the United States House UNIVERSITY of Representatives the accomplishments of graduate opportunities available at Indiana this remarkable public servant. HON. SUSAN W. BROOKS University, there are also over 400 graduate As the 2nd African American student to degrees and certificates that Indiana Univer- OF INDIANA graduate from Duke University School of Nurs- sity offers students. Many of Indiana Univer- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ing, Gayle Harris’ extraordinary career began sity’s graduate schools have become industry in 1970. At 22 years of age, she began work Friday, September 27, 2019 leaders in the areas of medicine, law, busi- at Durham County Health Department as a Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Madam Speaker, ness, music, media, education, politics, and public health nurse. Ms. Harris’ most recent I rise today to honor my alma mater, Indiana the arts. The alumni of the graduate schools role was serving as the Public Health Director University, as we recognize and celebrate the have also had a long and integral hand in the and the General Manager for Community Bicentennial Anniversary of this hallowed insti- development of Indiana’s well respected public Well-being for Durham County, North Carolina. tution. As a beacon of world-class academic As General Manager for Well-being, Ms. and private sectors. The impact of research excellence, Indiana University has given the Harris provided strategic leadership for Dur- conducted by post-graduate students and fac- world a multitude of dynamic and impactful ham County’s Department of Public Health, leaders in a vast array of disciplines. Both the ulty at Indiana University has been felt Department of Social Services, Cooperative United States and the international community throughout the world, benefiting untold mil- Extension, Veteran Services and Durham Pub- have benefited from the influence of the le- lions. lic Libraries. She also served as a lead liaison gions of Indiana University alumni spanning Now well into the 21st century, Indiana Uni- between the County and Alliance Behavior the globe. versity, under the direction of the 18th Presi- Health Care, Durham Parks and Recreation, Shortly after gaining statehood, the Indiana dent Michael McRobbie, has continued its Duke University Health System, Lincoln Com- General Assembly passed legislation man- steadfast charge to be a national leader in munity Health Center, Public and Private Uni- dating the creation of a state seminary institu- versities, United Way of the Greater Triangle public education. Guided by President tion in 1820. By 1822 construction on the ear- and other entities uniquely positioned to pro- liest Indiana State Seminary buildings was un- McRobbie, the university has undergone the mote Durham’s health indicators to new levels. derway in Bloomington, Indiana. In 1828, the largest academic restructuring in its history, With nearly 50 years of service in Durham State Seminary would be renamed Indiana leading to the creation of 10 new schools. In- County, Ms. Harris has served in several sig- College. Under the early leadership of inau- diana University has also been dutifully sup- nificant leadership roles. As Public Health Di- gural President Andrew Wylie, whose term ported by the many Indiana Governors and In- rector since 2009, she contributed to the de- lasted from 1829 to 1851, the institution in diana General Assembly Members over the sign of and managed the department’s move Bloomington expanded its educational cur- past two centuries. Hoosier lawmakers con- into a new Human Services Building in 2011. riculum and transformed from Indiana College tinue to further the Indiana University commit- At that time, she also played a key role in im- to Indiana University in 1829. Under the lead- ment of providing students a world-class edu- plementing two innovative programs: the Dur- ership of President David Starr Jordan, who ham Diabetes Coalition, a joint venture of Dur- cation. served from 1884 to 1891, Indiana University ham County Department of Public Health with saw major increases in enrollment, with the in- Over 690,000 students and alumni of the 9 Duke University Health System to address dia- stitution of the elective system. This multiplied campuses throughout the State of Indiana betes in the community, and Bull City United, the education offerings and solidified Indiana have been well served by forward-thinking uni- a violence interruption/reduction initiative. Ms. University’s reputation as one of the premiere versity administration officials. The Board of Harris was elected to serve as the President educational institutions in the United States. Trustees, Chancellors, Administration, Faculty, of the North Carolina Public Health Nurse Ad- As Indiana University closed out the 19th and Alumni Association members have been ministrators in 1994 and the President of the century, it became a leader in making higher integral to the immense academic and edu- North Carolina Public Health Association in education more accessible. As early as 1867, cational footprint that Indiana University has 2011. it became one of the earliest public univer- Gayle Harris is the recipient of numerous sities in the country to admit women on an developed and maintained. This leadership awards: Communities Joined in Action 2014 equal basis with men. Throughout the 20th has allowed Indiana University to develop over Grassroots Leaders Award; Senior Pharm As- century, Indiana University experienced mas- 16 schools and 550 individual degree pro- sist 2014 Thomas R. Howerton Leadership sive changes under the direction of legendary grams, keeping Indiana University on the cut- Award; NC Association of Local Health Direc- President Herman B. Wells whose term lasted ting edge of student development and aca- tors 2013 Ham Stevens Award for Outstanding from 1938 to 1962. Total enrollment sur- demic excellence. Contributions to Local Public Health; Auxiliary passed the 30,000 student threshold. Much of I join all current and former Hoosiers in of the Durham Academy of Medicine, Dentistry this increase coincided with the new opportu- & Pharmacy 2012 Legacy Award; Duke Uni- wishing our beloved alma mater a happy Bi- nities available to military veterans as a result versity School of Nursing 2012 Distinguished of the G.I. Bill. Guided by the leadership of centennial Anniversary. Hail to Old I.U. Alumna Award; and University of North Caro- President Wells, the university pursued an ef- lina School of Public Health Alumni Associa- fort to become one of the foremost internation- tion 1995 Distinguished Alumna Award. She ally recognized centers for research and was inducted into Sigma Theta Tau Inter- scholarship. This expansion based a greater national Honor Society of Nursing in 1990.

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