Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Visiting Davenport And Dubuque
As I continued my travels in Iowa on Tuesday, I began my morning in Davenport with about 150 members of DavenportOne, the local Chamber of Commerce. This breakfast meeting was an opportunity for me to learn more about the command and administration of the numerous military and civilian entities located at the Rock Island Arsenal. I continue to be impressed by the high quality products manufactured there and the rapid response capabilities repeatedly demonstrated which are keeping our troops safe. Equally, I have witnessed the invaluable service the Army Corps of Engineers continues to provide to communities and residents in Iowa devastated by the floods. I expressed my appreciation and commitment to the future of the facility and its tenants, which play a vital role in the region’s economy and the nation’s security.
Later this morning, I visited Genesis Health Systems. I met with members of the Board of Directors who oversees the excellent care that Genesis provides to the region. I was impressed by their dedication to the health care needs of residents in the urban and rural communities they serve. I was given the opportunity to meet with members of the Genesis health team, as well as representatives from Vera French Community Mental Health, who share my vision of a health system which incorporates both mental wellbeing and physical wellbeing. I was also pleased to talk with leaders of the Scott County Family Y; an organization which understands that a key component to our shared goal of a healthier America is a focus on prevention through physical activity and improved nutrition. While on the Genesis’ campus, I attended a public forum where I shared my vision for a healthier nation and heard the concerns of Iowans regarding the current health care system. I will keep these sentiments in mind as I work to improve access to care and look to change our nation’s sick-care system to one that truly focuses on health during the upcoming health care reform discussions.
I continued my discussion of healthcare in Dubuque at the Crescent Community Health Center (CHC), this was the first time that I had been able to come to this facility. Sr. Helene Huewe, the Chair of the Board of Director’s, Mary Rose Corrigan and Nancy VanMilligan among others from the board and community graciously welcomed me to this facility. It is one of 13 federally-funded health centers in Iowa. I helped to create Crescent CHC by getting them the federal funding that they needed. I have secured $180,000 for them in the past and in the Fiscal Year 2009 Budget there is an additional $200,000. The health center is still getting started and we do not know all that it can do for Dubuque, but it is estimated that at full capacity it will be able to serve 4,500 patients with 9,300 annual visits. I had the honor of announcing the new executive director, Julie Woodyard, while I was touring the facility. I am sure that the staff and the resources will be a great asset to the people of Dubuque. The Crescent CHC is the anchor of an old manufacturing building, “The Dubuque Casket Company”. This is a jewel of a building renovated by Gronen Enterprises. The owner, John Gronen, is an entrepreneur, who is changing these old buildings into homes for the working poor in Dubuque. John let the Crescent CHC use the main floor of this building and charged them no rent until the federal authorization was established.
In between stops I also had the pleasure of stopping and talking to my friends and constituents at the 180 Main Restaurant in downtown Dubuque. The owner, Tom Miller and his fiancée, Ellen Goodman were the hosts. Here we talked about a wide range of issues ranging from health care to flooding to farming. I enjoyed visiting with those who took the time to meet up with me and I plan to take their ideas and concerns back to Washington with me.
