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Daily Newspaper and Travel Guide
for Pecos Country of West Texas
Top Stories
Monday, January 28, 2002
Chamber picks Hung as 2001's Citizen of Year
By ROSIE FLORES
Staff Writer
PECOS, Mon., Jan. 28, 2002 -- It came as a "shock" and pleasant surprise
to Leo Hung, the recipient of the Citizen of the Year Award for 2001, who
said that he had no clue that he would be a winner Friday evening at the
Pecos Chamber of Commerce's Annual Awards Banquet.
The announcement came at the end of the banquet, held Friday before
a full house at the Reeves County Civic Center.
"I don't think the recipient of this award knows that he is going to
be honored," said Master of Ceremonies John Grant. "And in a town this
size, that's really remarkable."
"I am really in shock, I had no idea that I would be receiving this
award this evening," said Hung, a pharmacist, member of the Reeves County
Hospital District board and owner of several local businesses.
He said that he had made many friends in the 21 years he had been in
Pecos. "I came to Pecos 21 years ago and grew to love it," said Hung. "I
feel it is my obligation and duty to do my best to help all sectors of
the community."
Hung said that even though his specialty was the health care business
he wants to participate and help in other areas as well. "The health care
field is my main field," said Hung.
Hung said that his door is always open and thanked all his staff members,
many of which were on hand for the special occasion. "Last year was a very
productive year," said Hung.
Hung also introduced his wife, Minnie to the audience and said that
the two will soon be new parents.
Hung came to Pecos with Walter Kwan, a partner, in 1980, both having
recently graduated from a pharmacy school.
Leo, along with Walter, his partner, started his venture in to the world
of free enterprise, here in Pecos, with the acquisition of Professional
Pharmacy in 1980. His strong desire to provide health care related services
to the community of Pecos would eventually lead to bringing several additional
health care related services to Pecos, with his latest acquisition, in
the Pecos area, being Pecos Nursing Home, which he purchased on April 1
of last year.
"From his humble beginning, Leo's motivation and goal, with each of
his purchases, has always been, `what can he do to provide the best quality
of health care services to the community of Pecos,'" said Jim Lofton, who
presented the prestigious award to Hung.
Since beginning work at Professional Pharmacy, Hung has added the following
health care services to Pecos over the past 21 years:
Trans Pecos Laboratory, Trans Pecos Health Center, Physician Clinic
Space, American Home Health and Hospice and the Pecos Nursing home.
American Home Health and Hospice has expanded outside the Pecos area
to serve Fort Stockton and Iraan and provides health care services to those
still residing in their homes, along with hospice services and support
for individuals with a terminal illness and their families.
Lofton said that after Hung's acquistion of Pecos Nursing Home from
longtime owner Greg Johns last year, he immediately applied for and received
certification as a Medicare Skilled Nursing Facility. It was the first
time since the nursing home was built that Medicare health care services
have been available there.
Along with his businesses, Hung also paid for all youngsters in the
Pecos area to have an opportunity to see the movie "Remember the Titans."
"To make it affordable, for those desiring a career in the health care
field, Leo provides tuition assistance," said Lofton.
Hung was elected to the Board of Director of Reeves County Hospital
in 2000, giving of both time and resources, Lofton said.
"A goal and dream of Leo's is a Dialysis Center in Pecos. Presently,
those requiring dialysis services, the closest Dialysis Center available
to the citizens of Pecos area is in either Odessa or Midland," he said.
"This has become a major project for Leo, who is devoting both time and
effort in an attempt to bring dialysis services to the community of Pecos."
An active member of the Pecos Rotary Club, Lofton said Hung has personally
assumed the responsibility of the Christmas Tree Lighting Project. "Leo
has devoted both personal resources and the time of his employees to make
this annual event to become the success it now enjoys in the community,"
he said.
"His business has helped to provide growth, created job opportunities,
and a solid financial base to Pecos," said Lofton. "Leo genuinely cares
for both Pecos and the people of Pecos," he said.
Hung's award was one of several given out at Friday night's banquet,
including two new awards, the Fireman of the Year and the Emergency Medical
Service Attendant of the Year. A full list of the awards will be in Tuesday's
Enterprise.
Plate sale set to raise funds for youth trip
PECOS, Mon., Jan. 28, 2002 -- An Enchilada Plate Sale will be held from
11 a.m. until 6 p.m., Friday at St. Catherine's Hall, at Plum and Walthall
streets. Plates will be $4 and to order call 425-3685 or 448-5985. All
proceeds will benefit youth attending a conference in El Paso.
Weather
PECOS, Mon., Jan. 28, 2002 -- High Sun. 79. Low this morning 34. Forecast
for tonight: Mostly cloudy. Lows in the mid 40s. SW winds 5 to 15 mph.
Tues.: Mostly cloudy and not as warm. Highs near 70. SW winds 5 to 15 mph.
Tues. night: Cloudy with a 20 percent chance of rain. Lows near 40. Wed.:
Cloudy and much cooler with a 20 percent chance of rain. Highs 50 to 55.
Thurs.: Decreasing cloudiness and cool. Lows in the mid 20s. Highs in the
mid 40s.
Obituaries
Reba Coffee and Alicia Rodriguez
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