[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 51 (Tuesday, April 20, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E541]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING DR. BRADLEY E. HABERMEHL

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DALE E. KILDEE

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 20, 2004

  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today on behalf of the 
Rotary Club of Burton, Michigan to honor my good friend and constituent 
Dr. Bradley E. Habermehl. Dr. Habermehl has unselfishly donated his 
time and medical expertise to educating the underserved on maintaining 
good eye health. On Thursday, April 22, 2004, the Burton Rotary Club 
during their monthly meeting will present Dr. Habermehl with the 
prestigious Jack Hamady Good Scout award for outstanding community 
service.
  Dr. Habermehl was born and raised in Burton, Michigan. He graduated 
in 1981 from Bentley High School. He attended Ferris State University, 
after which he enrolled in the Illinois College of Optometry. Upon 
graduation in 1988 he joined the private group of Dr. Thomas Pardee and 
Dr. David Visser, where he began his primary eye care practice. His 
practice has flourished into one of the most well known, and 
accomplished eye care practices in Genesee County. On June 27, 1988, he 
became a member of the Burton Rotary Club, and in 1990 he served as 
President of the Club. Dr. Habermehl made history in 1996, when he 
became the youngest Optometrist to be appointed to the State Board of 
Examiners of Optometry. He currently holds the position of Chairman of 
the Board until his term expires in June of 2004. Dr. Habermehl shares 
his knowledge of maintaining excellent eye health to not only the 
residents of Genesee County, but to the underserved populace around the 
world. In 2001, he was appointed Chairman of the Burton Rotary Club's 
Avoidable Blindness Committee, and as a result has led a team of 
doctors, VOSH volunteers, and Rotarians to Mexico for the past four 
years to dispense used eyeglasses. This effort has led to the giving of 
corrected vision to over 10,000 Mexican citizens. Dr. Habermehl is also 
actively involved with the Michigan Optometric and the American 
Optometric Association. He is the Director of the Flint Sensory 
Learning Center, which is devoted to aiding children and adults with 
developmental delays. Dr. Habermehl has received numerous accolades for 
work, but one that is most worthy of mentioning for this occasion is 
the ``Rotarian of Year'' award, which he has been awarded three times 
by the Burton Rotary Club. Dr. Habermehl credits the love and support 
of his devoted wife Cindy and his two children, Chad and Kylee to his 
success.
  Mr. Speaker, as a Member of Congress, I ask my colleagues in the 
108th Congress to please join me in congratulating a humanitarian, and 
my good friend Dr. Bradley E. Habermehl.

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