[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 52 (Wednesday, April 21, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E579]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING DR. DANIEL BERTOCH

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL BILIRAKIS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 21, 2004

  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Daniel Bertoch, 
a dentist in my congressional district who routinely provides free 
dental services to those in his community who cannot afford them.
  I met Dr. Bertoch and his staff several years ago while visiting 
businesses in my congressional district. Dr. Bertoch's office, located 
in Citrus Park, serves many of my constituents in Northwest 
Hillsborough County. He told me then that he believed in the importance 
of civic responsibility and helping those in need.
  I am pleased to say Dr. Bertoch has acted on that belief. He recently 
invited a group of less fortunate children from the community to his 
office for free dental services. He and his staff (Dr. Maria Egir, Mary 
Anne Futch, Valera Senden, Janice Jonasson, Leigh Allen, and Maria 
Goetz) treated 17 children over the course of an entire day. They 
provided comprehensive exams to the children, gave them fluoride 
treatments, filled their cavities, and provided each child with a full 
dental treatment plan and copies of their x-rays. They also served 
breakfast and lunch to the group with the help of local businesses and 
hired someone to paint faces and make balloon animals for the children. 
As Dr. Bertoch said, ``a great time was had by all.''
  Dr. Bertoch told me that he realizes that charity is not a health 
care solution. He added, however, that along with proper funding, 
communities can find ways to help underserved children who need basic 
health and dental care.
  Mr. Speaker, Dr. Bertoch and his staff of caring professionals 
exemplify the spirit of generosity and compassion which forms our 
country's foundation. I am proud to know them and commend their work to 
our colleagues as we continue our efforts to make health care more 
accessible and affordable.

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