[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 40 (Wednesday, April 1, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E542-E543]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING DR. PAUL DRESCHNACK

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL BILIRAKIS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 1, 1998

  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the work of one 
of my constituents, Dr. Paul Dreschnack. Dr. Dreschnack is a plastic 
surgeon who spends several weeks each year in India, voluntarily 
performing free operations on children born with facial defects.
  I recently nominated Dr. Dreschnack and his mentor, Dr. Sharadkumar 
Dicksheet, for a Nobel Peace Prize. I would like to share with our 
colleagues the letter I submitted with their nomination application. I 
nominated these outstanding men because they embody the essence of 
humanitarianism. They have selflessly given their time, money, and 
energy to improve the lives of others.
  On behalf of the United States House of Representatives, I thank Dr. 
Dreschnack and Dr. Dicksheet for their tireless work. They are very 
worthy of this prestigious award and would uphold its tradition of 
outstanding recipients if it is awarded to them.

       Dear Nobel Committee Members: It is my distinct privilege 
     to bring before the Committee two physicians whose 
     humanitarian contributions in the area of medicine have 
     prompted me to submit their names for consideration as Nobel 
     Prize Laureates.
       I became acquainted with the work of Dr. Dicksheet and Dr. 
     Dreschnack during a recent meeting with representatives from 
     a local chapter of an international civic organization, the 
     Rotary Club of Dunedin, North. The story that unfolded over 
     the next several hours could be subtitled by the headlines of 
     some of the articles contained in their packet: ``The 
     Doctor's Heart: A New York Doctor Returns to India to Give 
     His Life's Earnings Back''; ``New Life to the Deformed''; 
     ``One Man, 20,000 Lives.''
       Most of us, as we mature and recognize that we have been 
     the recipient of unearned blessings or talents in life, 
     desire to give back to the community. Such is the motive 
     driving both Dr. Dicksheet and Dr. Dreschnack. But their 
     vision, the longevity and the largesse of their contributions 
     sets them apart among men.
       For thirty years, Dr. Sharad Dicksheet has spent 
     approximately six months each year in the poorest regions of 
     India, providing free surgery to those in need. He brings 
     with him a small team of surgeons, often paying for their 
     travel out of his own funds.
       They arrive at one of the many Plastic Surgery Camps, or 
     Shibers, as they are called. Year after year, the routine has 
     been the same. By daybreak, hundreds of people have arrived, 
     (some traveling hundreds of miles) to be evaluated for 
     treatment. In recent years the number arriving at each site 
     has often increased to over one-thousand people.
       Time and resources dictate that only those deemed treatable 
     can be assured of surgery. The patients are primarily cleft 
     lip and or cleft palate cases but include a variety of facial 
     deformities, burn injuries, including burn contractures of 
     joints, and deformed ears and eyes.
       By nine o'clock, separate operating tables have been set up 
     for the team and the surgeries begin, continuing 
     uninterrupted until

[[Page E543]]

     six o'clock in the evening. An average of thirty-five 
     surgeries are performed daily, but many times the number 
     reaches more than fifty. The statistics are phenomenal. Since 
     Dr. Dicksheet began his work in 1968, more than 40,000 
     operations have been performed. Financially, his 
     contributions exceed $80 million.
       But, what does the work mean to his patients? Nothing short 
     of a new life! Infants who would have died, unable to suck 
     milk, now thrive. Families outcast by the social stigma of 
     deformity, are restored. Young girls, (and boys), 
     unmarriageable and unable to work or make a living, have a 
     future. Each of the 40,000 cases has a life changing story. 
     It would be impossible to accurately estimate the thousands 
     of people whose lives have been positively affected by Dr. 
     Dicksheet and his associates. And, when you consider that the 
     doctors also teach surgical techniques to Indian surgeons 
     through the Indian Medical Society, the number increases even 
     more.
       What makes Dr. Dicksheet's story even more remarkable is 
     that the doctor has conducted the majority of his 
     humanitarian work while he, himself, has been in grave 
     health. About 18 years ago he underwent surgery for laryngeal 
     cancer. His speech is, for the most part, inaudible and he 
     must communicate in writing much of the time. Ten years ago 
     he suffered a severe heart attack, followed by another attack 
     in 1994. In spite of his health he has continued to raise 
     funds, travel and operate from a wheelchair. At this time, 
     however, his health has further deteriorated. He is not 
     expected to live much longer. Over the years he has treated 
     each day as a ``bonanza,'' and filled it with giving his life 
     to his fellow man. ``I feel good in giving this service to my 
     countrymen,'' he responds when asked about his work.
       What will happen to his work? Preparation has been made to 
     turn the work over to the very capable hands of Dr. Paul 
     Dreschnack, who has worked with Dr. Dicksheet for nine years 
     and shares his vision, enthusiasm and dedication. As Dr. 
     Dreschnack responded in an interview in 1995, ``I'll be doing 
     it (the work) for a long time.'' I am very proud to count Dr. 
     Paul Dreschnack as a resident of my Congressional district.
       The humanitarian contributions of these men sets an example 
     for the world. They exemplify how much more we can give when 
     we are willing to give our lives, totally. They show us how 
     much larger our vision can be when we refuse to see obstacles 
     and we view our fellow man as our brother.
       I am very pleased to bring Dr. Sharadkumar Dicksheet and 
     Dr. Paul Dreschnack before you.
       With best wishes, I am
           Sincerely yours,
                                                Michael Bilirakis,
                                               Member of Congress.

     

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