[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 156 (Tuesday, October 10, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1902-E1903]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     DR. JOSEPH A. MARASCO, JR., RECEIVES RADIOLOGY'S HIGHEST AWARD

                                 ______


                            HON. BUD SHUSTER

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 10, 1995

  Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, on September 12, 1995, Dr. Joseph A. 
Marasco, Jr., received the American College of Radiology's highest 
award, their gold medal for his contributions to the field of 
radiology.
  In his moving acceptance speech he said:

       On a Spring day in 1910, an apprehensive but excited nine 
     year old immigrant from southern Italy stepped onto Ellis 
     Island with his parents who were seeking the promise of 

[[Page E 1903]]
     America. That boy was my father who will be 94 years old in a few more 
     weeks. I'm honored and proud to have him here today.
       Dad married another Italian immigrant whose family also 
     sought greater opportunity here. My parents made sacrifices 
     for me. They wanted me to have all the benefits of American 
     citizenship. They were proud of their roots but loved America 
     and all it stands for.
       Their story is not unique. Many of you in this audience 
     have similar stories--beginning in the peat bogs of Ireland, 
     the ghettos of Poland and Russia, Greek fishing villages, 
     Philippine rice fields, remote African villages, Welsh coal 
     mines, and many other places. Our forbearers found an 
     opportunity and vitality here which enabled us to serve in 
     the noblest of professions. Furthermore, as radiologists, we 
     have been blessed to experience the queen of medical 
     specialties. Think a moment. Would you be here today without 
     the opportunity which is America. I know that I would not be.

  Indeed, only in America could such a dream come true.
  Following is a profile written about Dr. Marasco describing him as a 
``man for all seasons.''

                 Joseph Marasco Named ACR Gold Medalist

                         (By Thomas F. Meaney)

       A man for all seasons and the College had more than four a 
     year during Joe Marasco's active involvement with the ACR. 
     Not many have borne the pressures of recurring problems and 
     challenges and have led the organization to rational and 
     successful conclusion of events.
       During his time on the Council, problems with the financial 
     health of the College were uncovered. We were making 
     decisions based on imperfect data. While things seemed to 
     work well as a mom and pop operation, the sophistication of 
     newer College activities required a change to a solid 
     business footing. One example was that our production and 
     inventories of teaching materials had grown excessively, 
     placing a hidden burden on our finances. Joe Marasco took a 
     leadership role, working with members of the Board of 
     Chancellors and the issue was quickly clarified. His wisdom 
     was apparent to all and he became the first member of the 
     Council to serve on the Budget and Finance Committee. This 
     pervasive insight into financial matters was rewarded by his 
     election to the Board of Chancellors and to the position of 
     treasurer.
       But that was just the spring season and an unusually hot 
     summer followed! He was one of the first to recognize that 
     radiology had been ignoring a vital partner in our 
     speciality--the radiological industry. We were interdependent 
     but only casually speaking about our mutual interests and 
     needs at a time when radiology's advances were exploding. 
     We had to work together on a serious basis to reach our 
     goals. This insight led to the formation of the Industrial 
     Liaison Committee and the needed closer interaction of the 
     profession with industry.
       If June was warm, August was sweltering. The College 
     offices were in Chicago and the action was in Washington, DC. 
     While we had a superb branch office in Washington with 
     excellent and effective staff, the division of our staff 
     resources and duplication of our facilities could no longer 
     be economically maintained. The only solution was 
     consolidation of offices in Washington where legislators and 
     regulators lived and worked, often on our business.
       Moving our operation was not a trivial matter. Questions 
     arose: where to locate and how to pay for it! Joe Marasco 
     played a central role as chairman of the Site Selection 
     Committee. His previous efforts in forming the Industrial 
     Liaison Committee now came to center stage in planning for 
     financing of a consolidated headquarters in Reston, Virginia. 
     The sum of $10 million was an unrealistic goal scoffed at by 
     skeptics on the board. The Radiology 2000 campaign began with 
     the solid support of our members and industry. It was Joe 
     Marasco who arranged a pledge of $1 million from Eastman 
     Kodak which assured success. An amount of $8.5 million was 
     raised!
       A fifth season then arrived with the resignation of our 
     executive director just prior to our move to Reston. Joe 
     Marasco had just assumed the chairmanship of the board. 
     Through his efforts, calm prevailed and a new executive 
     director, John Curry, was named, with Otha Linton as 
     associate executive director.
       Fall and spring sometimes merge in Washington. Looking for 
     cuts in Medicare costs, Congress was again considering RAPs. 
     They were intent on placing the specialities of radiology, 
     anesthesiology and pathology (RAPs) in Part A of Medicare, 
     meaning that we would be a hospital service. His testimony 
     before the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health was 
     salutary. Calling for a ``level playing field'' and vowing to 
     help in working out the problems as a partner with the 
     subcommittee, the issue was defused. But fall is dangerous in 
     the Congress as they reconcile the budget. RAPs could get 
     back in. But, under the watchful eye of the chairman, it did 
     not.
       Had enough of the seasons? Just one more, a harsh winter. 
     The relationship between diagnostic radiologists and 
     radiation oncologists was not the best. Some were calling for 
     the complete separation of the American College of Radiology 
     and the Association of Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology 
     (ASTRO). Working closely with the president of ASTRO, Joe 
     Marasco and ASTRO President Jerry Hanks agreed to develop a 
     constructive relationship that has resulted in a strong bond 
     today.
       Of course, there are pleasant seasons that often go 
     unnamed. Joe Marasco's work with the ACR's self-evaluation 
     project on skeletal radiology in the emergency radiology 
     group was a satisfying contribution and a teaching success to 
     students of all ages. Following his term as president of the 
     ACR, he was elected to the board of the International Society 
     of Radiology and now serves as treasurer.
       Somehow, he managed to do many other things in his home 
     town of Pittsburgh, PA--like participating in an active 
     practice of radiology with a residency program, serving as 
     program director and managing partner of his group. Or, take 
     the Pittsburgh Opera, where he served on the board and became 
     president. Or, when he was vice president of the United 
     Methodist Church Union. And, let's not forget his prowess as 
     an eight handicap golfer.
       These incredible seasons could only have been weathered 
     with the support, encouragement and devotion of his lovely 
     wife Carrie and very understanding family, friends and 
     colleagues.

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