[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 74 (Tuesday, June 3, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1098-E1099]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   COMMEMORATING THE CENTENNIAL CONGRESS OF THE AMERICAN OPTOMETRIC 
                              ASSOCIATION

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. RICHARD A. GEPHARDT

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 3, 1997

  Mr. GEPHARDT. Mr. Speaker, thousands of optometrists from across the 
nation will convene in my hometown of St. Louis, June 11-15, for the 
Centennial Congress of the American Optometric Association [AOA]. It is 
fitting that this milestone event be held in St. Louis because it has 
been the home of the AOA since 1953.

[[Page E1099]]

  Optometry's roots date back to the ancient Greeks and their study of 
the mechanics of vision. In 1898, the evolving profession of optometry 
in the United States began to coalesce with the first meeting of the 
American Association of Opticians. The association had a charter 
membership of 183 members representing 31 States. The association 
adopted the use of the term optometrist in 1903, and in 1918 changes 
its name to the American Optometric Association.
  Since those early days, optometry has grown into a dynamic health 
care profession with nearly 31,000 practicing optometrist in more than 
4,000 cities and towns spanning the U.S. Optometry encompasses the care 
of the eye and vision system through the diagnosis, treatment and 
management of eye diseases and vision disorders.
  The theme of this year's conference is ``A Celebration of Sight.'' In 
addition to an extensive program of continuing education and the 
consideration of policy resolutions, the AOA will be electing a new 
president. Taking over as the association's 76th president will be Dr. 
Michael D. Jones of Athens, TN. He will be succeeding Dr. T. Joel Byars 
from McDonough, GA.
  I would like to ask my colleagues to join in saluting the American 
Optometric Association on the occasion of its Centennial Congress.

                          ____________________