E2074 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks October 17, 2003 colleagues to join me in wishing him enjoy- from my district. Ersilia Cruz of Pueblo, Colo- Rak has served as the President of the Bed- ment in his new pursuits during his well- rado led the charge to revitalize her neighbor- ford Medical Center. In this role, she has earned retirement! hood after it had begun to deteriorate before worked tirelessly to make the hospital a won- f her eyes. Her efforts have helped resuscitate derful resource to the community it serves, the community and transform the area into a and a key part of University Hospital’s health HONORING THE FLORIDA MARLINS better place to live. I would like to take this op- care system. portunity to thank Ersilia for her hard work and Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me HON. PETER DEUTSCH congratulate her on her success. in recognizing Arlene Rak for her many years of service to the Bedford Medical Center and OF FLORIDA Having lived in the neighborhood for more than fifty years, Ersilia has seen a great deal to University Hospitals. We wish her many IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES of change take place in her community, much blessings of peace, health and happiness Friday, October 17, 2003 of which has occurred over the course of the throughout her retirement. Mr. DEUTSCH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to past nine years. Old run-down homes have f congratulate the Florida Marlins on winning been scrapped and replaced with new ones, KEEPING WOMEN HEALTHY— the 2003 National League Pennant. On Octo- the local school has reopened and a commu- nity center has been erected, all due to the BREAST CANCER SCREENING ber 15th, they dismantled the Chicago Cubs in AND AWARENESS DAY Game 7 of the National League Championship hard work of citizens like Ersilia committed to Series, completing a thrilled comeback in a revitalizing their community. series they once trailed three games to one. In addition to Ersilia’s role in the revitaliza- HON. CIRO D. RODRIGUEZ Even when down to their last few outs, the tion of her community, she is also the mother OF TEXAS Marlins carne together and rallied back to earn of eight. She is a dedicated servant with nu- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES the right to play on baseball’s highest stage; merous community action organizations and Friday, October 17, 2003 the World Series. serves as a member of the local PTA, presi- Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, this month It should be noted, Mr. Speaker, that at the dent of the neighborhood association, and a the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month beginning of the season the Florida Marlins member of the Community Development Block (NBCAM) Campaign celebrates nineteen were not expected to be a factor in the Grant committee. For her efforts, Ersilia was years of educating women about breast can- postseason. Underestimated, overlooked, and recently awarded the 2003 NeighborWorks cer, especially the importance of detecting the ignored, the Marlins proceeded through the Dorothy Richardson Award, one of only ten disease in its earliest stages through screen- dog days of summer and down the stretch people throughout the U.S. to receive this rec- ing mammography. Since its inception, the with courage and grit, and finishing the season ognition. number of women obtaining mammograms with the best record in Major League Baseball Thanks to Ersilia’s determination to revive has more than doubled. since May. her neighborhood, the Hyde Park community Today, October 17, 2003, is National Mam- Led by 72-year-old manager Jack McKeon, is again a family friendly region. Not only did mography Day. Mammograms are one of the who took over the team in May when it held she receive a national award, the city of Pueb- most important prevention tools for breast can- a losing record, the Marlins have relied on lo also acknowledged her dedication by nam- cer with the ability to find a cancerous growth their tenacious young pitching and powerful, ing one of the streets in her community Cruz an average of 1.7 years before a woman can fast-paced offense. Josh Beckett, 23, and Circle in her honor. It is my pleasure to re- feel the lump. Any breast cancer survivor can Dontrelle Willis, 21, have battled with hitters all count Ersilia’s efforts here today, and I would tell you that even days can make a difference. season and continue to dominate. The offense also like to thank her for her tireless work. I Unfortunately, women who have limited ac- has been consistent all season with the speed wish her all the best. cess to care are less likely to receive mammo- of Juan Pierre, the power of Ivan ‘‘Pudge’’ f grams. This is why I am proud to be partici- Rodriguez, the youth and enthusiasm of pating, along with the Alamo Breast Cancer Miguel Cabrera, and the experience of base- HONORING OF ARLENE A. RAK Foundation (ABCF), Atascosa County Ministe- ball veterans Mike Lowell and Jeff Conine. rial Alliance, Atascosa Health Center, This group of young players and journeymen HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH Atascosa Interagency Council, Greater has come together and created a powerful unit OF OHIO Pleasanton Hispanic Chamber of Commerce to be reckoned with in the World Series. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES and South Texas Regional Medical Center in An expansion team in 1993, the Marlins Friday, October 17, 2003 Jourdanton, as an honorary sponsor of ‘‘Keep- won their first pennant in 1997, beating the ing Women Healthy,’’ a breast cancer screen- perennial power, the Atlanta Braves. They Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in ing and awareness day in my district tomor- went on to the World Series where they de- honor and recognition of Arlene Rak, upon her row, October 18, 2003. feated the Cleveland Indians in seven games. retirement as president of the UHHS Bedford I am proud of the efforts of the San Antonio This year the Marlins were once again the wild Medical Center. Ms. Rak retired on August 31, Metropolitan Health District and the ABCF to card team and are creating the same sort of 2003, after a long and successful career in purchase a mammography van to take their magic as they did in 1997. It is my hope that health care administration. message to our neighborhoods. Recently, their the Marlins will continue their winning tradition Arlene Rak brought to the University Hos- dreams were realized as the Avon Foundation next week against the New York Yankees. pitals Health System a wealth of experience awarded them a $569,000 grant, which will Mr. Speaker, It is an honor for a team to and a hands-on background in delivering allow them to purchase and operate a van represent their league in the World series. I health care. Her career began in nursing, but throughout the greater San Antonio area. They am thrilled at the success of the Florida Mar- she quickly moved to administrative roles in are great advocates and work tirelessly to en- lins and I know that they will do their best to both the non-profit and for profit sectors. She sure that women in the San Antonio area have bring a second World Series title to South has worked in hospital administration as well access to critical prevention and treatment Florida. as with organizations such as the Voluntary services. f Hospitals of America and Johnson & Johnson. The fight against breast cancer is a long She also worked as an independent consult- and hard one. In my home state of Texas, an PAYING TRIBUTE TO ERSILIA ant for many years, and developed new busi- estimated 13,700 cases of breast cancer will CRUZ ness ventures, alternate delivery systems and be detected in 2003. If breast cancer is de- helped others to focus on strategic networking. tected early, however, a woman’s chance of HON. SCOTT McINNIS In 1985, Ms. Rak was recruited from her pri- survival is improved by 95 percent. Neverthe- OF COLORADO vate consulting practice to develop the Inte- less, together we have shown that we can IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES grated Health Systems management center at make a difference. We must continue the fight University Hospitals. In 1992, UH persuaded against cancer. We only celebrate breast can- Friday, October 17, 2003 Ms. Rak to return to their fold, first as a strat- cer prevention for one month, but by getting Mr. MCINNIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you egy consultant, then as a director of elder care our voices heard and our message across, we today to pay tribute to an outstanding citizen and home care. Since February 2, 1996, Ms. can give millions a whole lifetime to celebrate.

VerDate jul 14 2003 05:55 Oct 18, 2003 Jkt 029060 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K17OC8.002 E17PT1