[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 102 (Thursday, July 11, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1264]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  CONGRATULATIONS TO DR. T. JOEL BYARS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MAC COLLINS

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 11, 1996

  Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, last month the American 
Optometric Association convened its 99th annual Congress in Portland, 
OR. I am pleased to report that during the Congress, Dr. T. Joel Byars 
of McDonough, GA, was sworn in as the association's 75th president. I 
would like to take a few moments to congratulate Dr. Byars on this 
achievement and to offer my best wishes to him for a successful term.
  Dr. Byars is a native of Griffin, GA, and is a graduate of the 
Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, TN. During his career, Dr. 
Byars has built a record of achievement in his profession at the local, 
State, and national levels, He is past president of the Georgia 
Optometric Association, the Georgia State Board of Examiners in 
Optometry, and is former trustee of the Southern Council of 
Optometrists. He was elected to the board of trustees of the American 
Optometric Association in 1989 and has served as an officer for the 
past 4 years.
  The American Optometric Association is the professional society for 
our Nation's 31,000 optometrists. In his role as president, Dr. Byars 
will guide the association as it deals with the challenges and 
opportunities of providing eye and vision care to millions of 
Americans.
  In addition to his professional achievements, Dr. Byars has been 
active in civic affairs. He has been a board member of the Dekalb 
Council on Aging and the North Central Georgia Health Systems Agency. 
Dr. Byars has also been involved in the Stone Mountain Rotary Club, and 
he has chaired the optometric division in the Dekalb Cancer Crusade and 
Heart Fund.
  Dr. Byars also served his Nation in the U.S. Army Medical Service 
Corps.
  Dr. T. Joel Byars has distinguished himself as an outstanding leader 
in his profession and in his community, and I am confident that he will 
have a successful term as president of the AOA. I join his many friends 
and colleagues in offering congratulations and best wishes.