[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 104 (Wednesday, July 27, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1631]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 TRIBUTE TO DR. WILLIAM W. TIPTON, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DORIS O. MATSUI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 27, 2005

  Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise in tribute to Dr. William W. Tipton, 
Jr., a man whose level of career achievement was matched only by his 
passion for living life to its fullest. Sadly, Dr. Tipton passed away 
on May 19, 2005 at the age of 64. As his friends and family gather to 
celebrate Bill's remarkable life, I ask all of my colleagues to join 
with me in saluting this outstanding citizen.
  Born in San Francisco and raised in Sacramento, Bill's commitment to 
service began as he entered the Catholic Diocesan Seminary at age 14 to 
study for the priesthood. In 1967, he graduated from Creighton Medical 
School, an institution that would 36 years later recognize him with its 
alumni achievement award for his ``distinguished service to his 
profession and humankind.''
  He first used his medical training to serve his country during the 
Vietnam War, first serving as a General Surgeon for Deployment on the 
U.S.S. Ticonderoga, and then as an Orthopedic Resident at Great Lakes 
Naval Hospital. After his honorable service, he returned to his native 
California to complete his orthopedic residency at the University of 
California, Davis.
  Throughout his illustrious career in medicine, Bill enjoyed many 
personal accomplishments. However, his focus always remained on the 
health and well being of his patients.
  For over two decades, Bill was an active member of the American 
Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. From 1994-2003, he led the AAOS, 
serving as Executive Vice-President & Chief Executive Officer. He then 
served as AAOS Medical Director from 2003-2004.
  One of Bill's proudest accomplishments at the Academy was the 
creation of ``Healthy Athlete's Initiative,'' which provides medical 
screening for participants in the Special Olympics. He also, more 
recently, helped the Academy realize the program ``Legacy of Heroes,'' 
a film chronicling the contributions of the surgeons of World War II 
and the influence they have had on modern medicine. The film was aired 
on PBS and was distributed through the Academy as a DVD.
  Although Bill left us at far too young of an age, he made the most of 
every day that he spent on this earth. There was nothing in life that 
he wanted to do that he didn't do. All of us would do well to follow 
his example.
  Mr. Speaker, as Dr. William W. Tipton's friends and family gather to 
honor this great American, I am honored to pay tribute to one of 
Sacramento's most honorable citizens. His achievements are truly a 
great inspiration. I ask all of my colleagues to join me in 
acknowledging Bill's invaluable contributions to Sacramento and the 
United States of America.

                          ____________________