[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 43 (Thursday, March 18, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E499]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  IN HONOR OF J.C. PICKETT, M.D., PRESIDNET OF THE CALFORNIA MEDICAL 
                              ASSOCIATION

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 18, 1999

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased today to honor 
the new California Medical Association (CMA) President, Dr. J.C. 
Pickett, of St. Helena, California.
  Dr. Pickett has been a longtime leader in the Napa community, as well 
as throughout the State of California, and as native St. Helenan, I am 
extremely proud of my friend's outstanding accomplishments.
  Born in West Virginia in 1926, Justus Cunningham (J.C.) Pickett 
received his B.A. degree from West Virginia University in 1956 and his 
medical degree from the Medical College of Virginia in 1958. He served 
as a surgical intern from 1958 to 1959, a surgical resident from 1959 
and 1960, and an orthopaedic resident from 1960 to 1963, all at the 
Medical College of Virginia Hospitals.
  Dr. Pickett was certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic 
Surgery in 1955 and became a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons 
in 1967 and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons in 1968. A 
retired colonel of the U.S. Air Force Reserve, he served in a number of 
important positions: as a clinical instructor at Ohio State University, 
as Chief of Staff and Chief of Surgery at Queen of the Valley Hospital 
in Napa, as a board member of the Napa County Chapter of the American 
Cancer Society, as orthopaedic consultant to Napa Valley College, and 
as team physician for Napa High School and Vintage High School. Dr. 
Pickett is also a member of the California Orthopaedic Association and 
the Western Orthopaedic Association.
  Dr. Pickett served as President of the Napa County Medical Society 
from 1980 to 1981, as a member of the CMA House of Delegates from 1977 
to 1990, and has been a member of CMA's Board of Trustees since 1990. 
In that capacity, he was Vice-Chair from 1994 to 1995, Chair from 1996 
to 1997, and President-Elect from 1998 to 1999.
  Despite his busy medical practice and dedication to his profession 
and patients, Dr. Pickett always finds time to spend with his wife 
Sandra, his three children, Justus Cunningham Pickett II, Carrie Laing 
Pickett, and John Eastman Brown Pickett, his two grandchildren Samantha 
and Joycelyn, and his beloved dog Murphy. Dr. Pickett is also well 
known to his friends, family, colleagues and patients as a highly 
skilled physician, gentleman farmer, infrequent golfer, and world class 
over lover of crossword puzzles.
  Mr. Speaker, I believe it is fitting and appropriate to honor the 
lifetime of service Dr. Pickett has given to his community, his state 
and his nation. Undoubtedly, there are many families in Napa County who 
are thankful each day for Dr. Pickett's service. Napa County is a 
health community and its resident can point to Dr. Pickett's service as 
one reason for this.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to personally commend Dr. Pickett on his 
dedication and meritorious service, and I wish him well this coming 
year as the new president of the CMA.

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