Congressional Record
Proceedings, Debates of the U.S. Congress

        

[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1762]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HOLY REDEEMER HEALTH SYSTEM ANNIVERSARIES

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ALLYSON Y. SCHWARTZ

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 28, 2010

  Ms. SCHWARTZ. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and congratulate 
Holy Redeemer Health System in Meadowbrook, Montgomery County, 
Pennsylvania on the momentous occasion of Holy Redeemer St. Joseph 
Manor's 75-year and Holy Redeemer Hospital's 50-year anniversaries. 
These milestones will be celebrated with an Anniversary Mass on Sunday, 
October 17, 2010.
  In 1924, a group of Catholic Sisters journeyed from their home in 
Werzburg, Germany, to Baltimore, Maryland, and then Philadelphia, 
Pennsylvania to continue their ministry of service to those challenged 
by poverty and illness. The Sisters cared for the sick and elderly in 
their homes. Through their homecare visits, they recognized the need 
for a home for the elderly to provide for their security, as well as 
their spiritual and physical comfort. To meet this need they purchased 
a 45-acre estate in Meadowbrook, Pennsylvania and in 1936 celebrated 
the groundbreaking for Holy Redeemer St. Joseph Manor.
  St. Joseph Manor opened its doors on June 11, 1937, accommodating 125 
residents. In its beginning days, the Sisters ran the Manor and did all 
of the nursing, cooking, cleaning, washing, and gardening as a 
demonstration of their heartfelt care for all of the residents. St. 
Joseph Manor was funded solely on donations, ``built by good people for 
the good of people.''
  As their endeavor grew, the Sisters' desire to realize their dream of 
providing a hospital for Northeast Philadelphia and Montgomery County 
grew ever stronger. In the mid-1950s the Sisters donated a portion of 
their land to build Holy Redeemer Hospital. The Sisters, along with 
civic-minded citizens and friends, raised the funds for the 
construction of the $3.5 million, 217-bed community hospital which was 
dedicated on December 8, 1958 and officially opened in March 1959.
  Through Holy Redeemer St. Joseph Manor's 75-year and Holy Redeemer 
Hospital's 50-year history, buildings have expanded, updated 
technology, and developed treatment techniques. What has remained 
constant is the unwavering commitment to ``care, comfort and heal'' 
those under the health system's care. The Holy Redeemer Health System 
has grown to include nearly 4000 staff members who provide services 
through the Delaware Valley and in 11 counties in New Jersey.
  Please join me in wishing Holy Redeemer Health System congratulations 
on these milestone anniversaries. I am proud to have had the privilege 
of visiting the Hospital itself and representing Holy Redeemer in the 
U.S. Congress.

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