Sadly, that call came too late to save the lives of our US Postal Service colleagues, Mr. Morris and Mr. Curseen. And we suspect the CDC's acceptance of responsibility for their initial misplaced reassurance of safety is of little comfort to the affected families. Our hearts and our prayers go out to them.

Our public health team subsequently worked together to protect, educate, and appropriately reassure our community and our country. Because of the Mayor's commitment to the preservation of DC General as a health campus, we had the surge capacity to build a model of public health intervention that impressed our entire country. We provided over 17,000 patient visits. At DC General we hosted members of Congress, other elected officials from across the country, and delegations from around the world. Working under the leadership of a superb District team of the Mayor, Council, and Congresswoman, and working closely with our partners in other District agencies, our private sector providers, the federal government, the media, and our District neighbors, your Department of Health demonstrated competence and resolve.

This same Department of Health has led the remarkable construction of the DC Healthcare Alliance, and along with our Alliance partners, we have quite a report to give.

Since the DC Healthcare Alliance began delivering health services a little over six months ago in July of 2001, we have achieved several critical successes and resolved a number of key challenges. And we continue to work with our Alliance partners to build a true health care safety net in the District.

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