[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 38 (Wednesday, March 10, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E383]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING HEALTH ADVOCATES

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DALE E. KILDEE

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 10, 1999

  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of a wonderful 
organization devoted to improving the quality of life in Michigan and 
throughout the country, the American Lung Association. On March 18, the 
American Lung Association of Michigan, Genesee Valley Region, will hold 
their 16th Annual Health Advocate Awards Dinner, where they will honor 
Dr. Samuel J. Dismond, Jr. as their Individual Health Advocate and 
HealthPlus of Michigan as Corporate Health Advocate for the year 1998.
  The Association's criteria for Individual Health Advocate includes a 
minimum of 5 years on a health association board or participation in a 
health related activity, and outstanding contributions to health 
education and promotion of research, Dr. Samuel Dismond, Jr. serves as 
a shining example of this commitment to health issues.
  Dr. Dismond currently serves as Chief of Staff at Hurley Medical 
Center in Flint, Michigan, which employs approximately 2,500 employees 
and 475 attending physicians who serve more than 20,000 patients 
annually. He has been honored as Michigan Family Physician of the Year 
in 1997 by the Michigan Academy of Family Practice, and also as 1999 
Family Physician of the United States by the American Academy of Family 
Physicians. Dr. Dismond has made many contributions not only on behalf 
of family medicine, but throughout the Flint area as well. He has been 
an influence in non-medical groups such as the NAACP, Boy Scouts of 
America, the Urban League of Flint, and the Flint Institutes of Art and 
Music. He has also been honored for his commitment to substance abuse 
treatment, and his dedication to community service.
  For the honor of Corporate Health Advocate of the Year, the American 
Lung Association has listed as requirements a definitive plan to 
promote lung health in the workplace, demonstration of commitment to 
social responsibility on the part of its employees, a positive display 
of financial support, and a dedication to improving the quality of life 
for the citizens of the region. HealthPlus of Michigan has consistently 
proven itself worthy of this distinction.
  After determining that smoking was a serious issue in regard to their 
membership, HealthPlus of Michigan actively set into motion a series of 
objectives designed to improve the quality of life for their clients, 
including the implementation of smoking guidelines, behavioral and 
education programs, and the creation and publication of the HealthQuest 
Directory of community programs and resources.
  Mr. Speaker, since 1904, the American Lung Association has provided 
an invaluable resource to the country for information and research of 
lung disease and health. I commend the Association for recognizing and 
honoring Dr. Samuel Dismond, Jr. and HealthPlus of Michigan as their 
Health Advocates of the Year. I ask my colleagues to join me in 
congratulating Samuel Dismond, Jr. and HealthPlus of Michigan.

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