[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 86 (Tuesday, June 25, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1141]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 CONGRATULATIONS TO DR. J. PAT CUMMINGS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BARBARA CUBIN

                               of wyoming

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 25, 2002

  Mrs. CUBIN. Mr. Speaker, on Saturday, June 29, doctors of optometry 
from around the nation will gather in New Orleans to elect Dr. J. 
Patrick Cummings to be the 81st president of the American Optometric 
Association. Dr. Cummings is a resident of Sheridan, Wyoming, and it is 
a pleasure for me to take a moment today to congratulate him on this 
honor.
  Dr. Cummings is a graduate of Pacific University in Forest Grove, 
Oregon, and the university's College of Optometry, where he has served 
as an adjunct professor since 1994. Dr. Cummings has been in private 
practice in Sheridan since 1977. He also served as a consulting 
optometrist at the VA medical center in Sheridan for 13 years and is 
currently on the staff at Sheridan County Memorial Hospital. He is a 
Fellow in the American Academy of Optometry. As you might expect, Dr. 
Cummings has been an active member in his professional societies. He 
has been recognized twice as Wyoming's Optometrist of the Year. He was 
elected to the American Optometric Association's board of trustees in 
1994 and has held a number of association leadership posts during the 
past nine years.
  In addition to his professional involvement, Dr. Cummings has been 
active in a wide range of civic activities. These include: the Lion's 
Club, Jaycees, Sheridan County Memorial Hospital Foundation, Chamber of 
Commerce and Sheridan Area Community Foundation. He also has served as 
a house captain for Christmas in April, a CPR instructor and trainer, a 
Red Cross advanced first aid instructor and a National Ski Patrol first 
aid advisor. Dr. Cummings has been a member of the National Ski Patrol 
since 1978 and was a member of the Professional Ski Instructors 
Association. An avid pilot and aircraft builder, Dr. Cummings has 
constructed and flown two home-built aircraft and has helped in the 
construction of several others.
  Dr. Cummings and his wife Becky have three children, Patrick, Abby 
and Josh. The American Optometric Association is the professional 
society for the nation's 33,000 optometrists. Dr. Cummings will lead 
the association as it continues to work to improve eye and vision care 
in the United States. Dr. J. Patrick Cummings has distinguished himself 
as a leader in his profession. I am confident that he will have a 
successful term as president, and I join his family, friends and 
colleagues in wishing him well.

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