[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 81 (Thursday, June 23, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: June 23, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
              COMMEMORATING THE U.S. PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE

                                 ______


                          HON. JOHN D. DINGELL

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 23, 1994

  Mr. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, today, I am pleased to introduce, with my 
colleagues, Mr. Moorhead, Mr. Waxman, and Mr. Bliley, a resolution 
honoring the Public Health Service, its agencies, and its employees.
  I think every Member of this House knows of the fine work of the 
agencies of the Public Health Service, such as the National Institutes 
of Health or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Too often 
we think of these agencies in isolation, and do not recognize that much 
of their work is done in cooperation with, and depends on, that of 
sister agencies under the auspices of the parent Public Health Service. 
This resolution provides an opportunity to step back and acknowledge 
the collective work of this important component of the Department of 
Health and Human Services. So that Members will recall all of the 
diverse and essential parts of the Public Health service, I want to 
mention them here.
  The Agency for Health Care Policy and Research, evaluates and makes 
recommendations to health care providers and the insurers about the 
effectiveness, costs, and benefits of both new and commonly used 
medical therapies, technology, and treatments.
  The efforts of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to 
promote health and prevent and control disease and disability--in the 
community, the workplace, and the home--are critical to our State and 
local public health offices, and throughout the world.
  The Food and Drug Administration reviews new drugs and medical 
devices to evaluate their safety and effectiveness and assures the 
safety of virtually every food product, medical device, cosmetic, and 
drug on the market in the United States, so that Americans can know 
that they may use these products without fear.
  The Health Resources and Services Administration weaves together the 
fabric of our health care system to serve the poor and the medically 
underserved--through community health centers; migrant health centers; 
programs to provide health care for people with AIDS, native Hawaiians, 
the homeless, and those who reside in public housing; and support for 
training of health care providers to serve in urban and rural areas 
where residents otherwise have almost no hope of access to medical 
care.
  The Indian Health Service serves as the primary or sole provider of 
health care for American Indians and Alaska Natives, both on 
reservations and in other areas, often challenging seemingly 
insurmountable obstacles to improve the health and quality of life for 
native Americans.
  Research performed and supported by the National Institutes of 
Health, the premier biomedical research institution in the world, 
places it at the cutting edge of understanding the basic biology of 
health and the mechanisms to prevent, treat, and cure, the plethora of 
diseases and disorders which affect our citizens and those of the rest 
of the world.
  The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration supports 
programs to prevent and treat mental illness and substance abuse, and 
to educate the public about the nature of these disorders and the need 
for compassion and understanding of those who are affected by them.
  Mr. Chairman, I urge all of my colleagues to join me, Mr. Moorhead, 
Mr. Waxman, and Mr. Bliley in saluting the Public Health Service by 
cosponsoring this commemorative resolution.

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