January 15, 2002 – Delegate to Congress Donna Christian Christensen spoke Saturday at a dinner in Washington honoring Dr. Marilyn Gaston on the occasion of her retirement.
Gaston, former Assistant Surgeon General and Director of the Primary Health Care Bureau at the U.S. Health and Human Services Department, led a group of federal health officials to the territory two years ago to restructure the relationship between the federal government and the V.I. Health Department, said a release from the Delegate's office.
Christensen told the crowd of 700 that Gaston had accomplished much on behalf of the Congressional Black Caucus and minority communities and, in particular, the Virgin Islands during her tenure.
"The Virgin Islands is also indebted to you for your interest and for demanding that we finally embrace change," Christensen said. "We in the Caucus have heard your call and have been infected with your passion for empowering our communities to create health care delivery systems that will create 100 percent access," she told Gaston.
The Delegate, who chairs the Health Braintrust of the Congressional Black Caucus, lauded Gaston for her devotion to the health care needs of those in minority communities who have the most trouble accessing care. Christensen presented Gaston with a plaque of honor entered into the Congressional Record and a gift of a silk Yemaya shawl from the people of the Virgin Islands.
Gaston was also lauded by Spellman College president Dr. Audrey Manley and U.S. Surgeon General Dr. David Satcher.
