SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 604
	WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased 
to recognize Sister Gretchen Kunz of the Bryan-College Station
area as she transitions from her position as president and chief
executive officer of the Saint Joseph Health System to new 
challenges in her life; and
	WHEREAS, Sister Gretchen has served Saint Joseph Health
System for 24 years in her present capacity; she will soon 
begin working with the system's charitable organization, the
Saint Joseph Foundation; and
	WHEREAS, Appointed hospital administrator in 1981, 
Sister Gretchen found a hospital struggling with financial 
hardships when she arrived; she quickly improved the hospital 
and was the driving force behind establishing its cardiac and 
cancer treatment facilities and expanding its rehabilitation 
and surgical services, maternal-child care, and emergency 
services; and
	WHEREAS, Her visionary leadership in broadening the reach
of Saint Joseph Health System to the entire Brazos Valley will 
be her lasting legacy; small hospitals in Caldwell, Navasota, 
and Madisonville have joined the system, and eight rural 
clinics have opened in the region as part of the system; and
	WHEREAS, Sister Gretchen's energetic service extends 
beyond the Saint Joseph Health System, and she helped found 
the Prenatal Clinic, the Health for All Clinic, Project Unity, 
and the local Habitat for Humanity; she has also served on 


the boards of several local organizations, including the 
Bryan-College Station Chamber of Commerce and the United Way 
of the Brazos Valley; and
	WHEREAS, A Catholic nun whose deep faith is manifest 
in her many good works, Sister Gretchen has a passion for 
addressing the health-care needs of the people of Brazos Valley,
and her strength, dedication, and humanity will continue to 
inspire others as she continues her altruistic endeavors; now,
therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 
79th Legislature, hereby commend Sister Gretchen Kunz for her
many years of selfless dedication and service to the people 
of the Brazos Valley; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared 
for her as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate.
                                                                           Ogden




________________________________ 
    President of the Senate
 
    I hereby certify that the 
above Resolution was adopted by 
the Senate on April 13, 2005.



________________________________ 
    Secretary of the Senate



________________________________ 
     Member, Texas Senate