Congratulating the Houchin Community Blood Bank on its 75th Anniversary

Floor Speech

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Mr. VALADAO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Houchin Community Blood Bank on its 75th anniversary and recognize its decades of service providing a safe and reliable blood supply to families in Kern County and across the Central Valley.

Founded in April 1951 through the generosity of C. Elmer Houchin and the Houchin Foundation, the blood bank was established in memory of his mother, who needed transfusions during her fight with cancer. As the first blood bank in Kern County, Houchin made lifesaving care more accessible and ensured residents no longer had to travel long distances for critical treatment.

For over 70 years, the Houchin Community Blood Bank has undergone several significant improvements to meet the needs of our community. Over the past several decades, Houchin has expanded its reach with multiple new medical facilities for blood collection and processing. In addition, they have upgraded their technologies to ensure the highest quality testing and collection. Today, the bank serves all of Bakersfield and Kern County through multiple collection and processing sites. Thanks to these efforts, and the generosity of countless donors, Houchin has helped save more than 3 million lives.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join me in congratulating the Houchin Community Blood Bank on this remarkable milestone. As Kern County's only truly local blood provider, their commitment to service has greatly contributed to ending the blood supply shortage, saved countless lives, and improved access to care.

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