[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 114 (Wednesday, September 5, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1576-E1577]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING THE CAREER OF DR. ROBERT BYERS, M.D.

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN BENTSEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 5, 2001

  Mr. BENTSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the long and 
decorated career of Dr. Robert Maxwell Byers. The oldest son of Dr. 
John Maxwell Byers and Charlotte Winchester Byers, Robert has spent 
more than 30 years at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, in Houston, 
Texas.
  Dr. Byers grew up in the small town of Elkton, Maryland. An athletic 
teen who excelled in baseball, basketball, and track, Robert continued 
his athletic participation at Duke University, where he studied pre-
Med. In 1959, he entered the University of Maryland Medical School in 
Baltimore where he excelled in his academic studies and received 
membership to the AOA and the Rush Honor Medical Society. In 1961, he 
married his high school sweetheart, Marcia Davis.
  During his third year of Medical School, Robert was commissioned an 
Ensign in the United States Naval Reserve, and later rose to the rank 
of Captain in 1986. In 1963, Dr. Byers began his general surgical 
residency at the University Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. Five years 
later, he left for the Republic of Vietnam, as a fully trained general 
surgeon, with the 1st Marine Division. He received a unit commendation 
medal and combat action ribbon for his service in Vietnam. In 1969, he 
was certified by the American Board of Surgery. The following year, 
after his discharge from the Navy, he moved his family to Houston, 
Texas.
  In Houston, Dr. Byers began a fellowship in Surgical Oncology at the 
University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. This was the decision 
that molded his career in Head and Neck Surgical Oncology. Over the 
past thirty years at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Dr. Byers climbed 
the ranks to Professor and Surgeon. His career has been decorated with 
many awards and honors. He was honored with the distinguished Alano J. 
Ballantyne, Chair of Head and Neck Surgery in 1998, and was selected to 
give the Hayes Martin Memorial Lecture at the 5th International 
Conference on Head and Neck Cancer. Dr. Byers has authored or co-
authored more than 200 works, including published papers, book 
chapters, and monographs. Throughout his time at M.D. Anderson he has 
contributed to the education of more than 300 residents, who are now 
becoming the future leaders of this field of health care.
  In addition to his professional work, Dr. Byers has played an active 
role in the Houston community. With four sons, MacGregor, Robby, 
Matthew, and John, he was actively involved in coaching Little League 
and basketball. All of us in the greater Houston area have benefited 
from Dr. Byers' dedication and commitment to the medical field and his 
family.
  Mr. Speaker, Dr. Robert Maxwell Byers is a Veteran, a doctor, a 
father, a community activist, and a man whose commitment to the public 
good sets a model for future generations to follow. I applaud the long 
and accomplished career of Dr. Robert Maxwell Byers and wish him 
continued success in future endeavors.

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