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[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 161 (Friday, October 3, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2226]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

HONORING SISTER JUDY GARSON FOR HER LEADERSHIP OF THE LITTLE SISTERS OF 
                 THE ASSUMPTION FAMILY HEALTH SERVICES

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 3, 2008

  Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to 
Sister Judy Garson for her 24 years of service with the Little Sisters 
of the Assumption Family Health Services. Sister Judy has been an 
extraordinary leader, ably directing the expansion of the services 
provided by the Little Sisters of the Assumption Family Health Service 
and ensuring that the organization continues to be a vital force in the 
community. After nearly a quarter of a century in dedicated and 
effective service to others, Sister Judy Garson is embarking on a well-
deserved retirement.
  The devotion of the Little Sisters of the Assumption to the well-
being of families with children in East Harlem is truly remarkable. 
Since its founding five decades ago this year, the Sisters' Family 
Health Service has offered community-based health services to 
historically underserved local residents of ``El Barrio''. Through a 
broad range of services, including parenting classes, summer day-camp 
trips for children in the community, and day-care services, the Little 
Sisters of the Assumption have made an enormous and enduring difference 
in countless lives.
  In her nearly quarter century of service at Little Sisters of the 
Assumption Family Health Services, Sister Garson has seen its full-time 
staff expand from 30 to more than 60 employees. Under her guidance, the 
Little Sisters of the Assumption Family Health Services has evolved 
into a highly successful, independent organization that will continue 
to serve the East Harlem community for generations to come. During her 
distinguished tenure at the Little Sisters of the Assumption Family 
Health Service, Sister Judy Garson has been at the forefront of the 
valiant effort to combat HIV and AIDS in a community that has widely 
been considered an epicenter of this lethal epidemic. With courage and 
compassion, she reached out to those suffering from HIV and AIDS at a 
time when misinformation and a lack of public awareness created an 
impenetrable stigma around those infected with the virus. Her 
educational outreach offered a shining example of her distinguished and 
effective service.
  Perhaps the most remarkable facet of Sister Garson's 24 years of 
service with the Little Sisters of the Assumption Family Health 
Services is the patient and considerate attention that she pays to each 
and every family in her organization's care. She and her staff do more 
than identify clients' problems and offer assistance; they take the 
extra step to help families obtain enduring ways to overcome the 
obstacles in their lives.
  Sister Judy Garson's leadership skills were apparent from the 
beginning of her career. After completing her bachelor's degree, Sister 
Judy accepted a prestigious position in Rome as one of five board 
members responsible for the administration of the Society of the Sacred 
Heart and its numerous chapters in more than 33 countries around the 
world. She drew upon the invaluable experience she gained at the 
Vatican when she returned to the United States, where she brought to 
bear her inspirational and effective leadership and management skills 
in our nation's greatest city.
  In recognition of her outstanding contributions to the well-being of 
the people she has served and her extraordinary leadership of the 
Little Sisters of the Assumption Family Health Services, I ask that my 
distinguished colleagues join me in honoring Sister Judy Garson, an 
outstanding and compassionate leader who has dedicated her life to 
serving others.

                          ____________________
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