[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 49 (Monday, April 12, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E605]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    IN RECOGNITION OF OPERATIONSMILE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 12, 1999

  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the efforts of a 
humanitarian and medical relief organization that is in the midst of 
the largest-ever worldwide surgical relief--a mission that will enable 
some of the world's neediest children to smile for the very first time. 
At the same time, I would like to recognize four members of one of New 
Jersey's leading associations that have helped to make this mission 
possible.
  The humanitarian organization is OperationSmile, a group of volunteer 
surgeons and others who focus on correcting cleft lips, cleft palates, 
and other facial deformities. Their World Journey of Hope '99 is nine-
week international mission for 18 developing countries that will 
transform the lives of more than 5,000 children.
  The trip is made possible through the generous contributions of many 
companies, including four member companies of the Health Care Institute 
of New Jersey, an organization that promotes awareness of the research-
based pharmaceutical and medical technology industry in New Jersey. Two 
of the companies, Johnson & Johnson and Warner Lambert, are charter 
sponsors of this mission. Two other companies, Becton Dickinson and 
Wyeth-Ayerst, contributed surgical supplies for the mission.
  Founded in 1982 by cosmetic surgeon William P. Magee, Jr., MD, 
OperationSmile volunteers have provided free surgery to more than 
45,000 children in 17 countries, including the United States. In 
addition to free medical treatment and aftercare, OperationSmile trains 
local medical professionals and provides vital medical equipment. 
Doctors and nurses in these countries continue the efforts after the 
volunteer team has left.
  In addition to performing the miraculous task of transforming lives 
of children who would often otherwise be doomed to a lifetime of 
rejection and social cruelty, OperationSmile transform the live of 
volunteers who receive the gift of knowing that they have truly made a 
difference and have brought people together around the world.
  Similarly, the four companies mentioned earlier who have contributed 
to this effort have gone beyond the scope of ``business as usual'' to 
achieve a larger mission, improving the health and well being of people 
the globe. They are to be commended for their support of this shared 
vision: the right of every human being to receive necessary health 
services.
  I am proud to recognized the work of OperationSmile, and I thank 
Becton Dickinson, Johnson & Johnson, Warner-Lambert, and Wyeth-Ayerst 
for their role in continuing the work of this wonderful organization.

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