[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 14 (Wednesday, February 8, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E118-E119]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




IN CELEBRATION OF VIRGINIA DENTAL ASSOCIATION'S MISSION OF MERCY TO NEW 
                                ORLEANS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROBERT C. SCOTT

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 8, 2006

  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, the wealth and generosity of the 
American people is possibly the greatest story to come from the 
aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Upon seeing their fellow citizens in 
need, Americans pledged millions of dollars to the Red Cross and other 
charitable organizations. Families hosted displaced evacuees, while 
others welcomed strangers into their homes, schools, and houses of 
worship. I would like to commend one group of volunteers who have put 
their specialized skills to use in bringing critical services back to 
New Orleans.
  This past Sunday, forty dentists and forty support volunteers from 
the Commonwealth of Virginia, in conjunction with the Virginia Dental

[[Page E119]]

Association, left Virginia on a Mission of Mercy. They joined with 400 
medical professionals and 150 support volunteers from thirty-eight 
different states and transformed the New Orleans Zoo into one large 
health care clinic. They will spend this week staffing this clinic, 
providing health care free of charge to anyone who needs it. The 
dentists from Virginia are not just providing checkups, but are 
performing extractions, fillings, partial realignments, and all other 
procedures that one would normally receive in a dentist's office. The 
500 dental patients that will be treated daily are just a portion of 
the 1600 patients that will be triaged through the clinic coordinated 
by Remote Area Medical of Knoxville, Tennessee.
  The doctors and support volunteers participating in the Mission of 
Mercy are paying for their own transportation and lodging. On top of 
those costs, many of them are forced to close their own practices in 
their home states in order to participate in the mission.
  This simple gift to the people of New Orleans is a much needed one. 
The image of homes flooded by Katrina's waters is prevalent in our 
minds. It is easy to forget that businesses, such as doctor's offices, 
were also destroyed. For the parts of New Orleans that weren't flooded, 
many still lack power and potable water. For many of the brave citizens 
and aid workers that still inhabit the city, health care is a creature 
comfort that is either unavailable or too expensive. It is a necessity 
that sadly takes a backseat to more immediate concerns.
  The federal government has yet to fully live up to its responsibility 
to the citizens whose lives were ravaged by Hurricane Katrina, and 
until the federal government fulfills this responsibility, the job is 
left to private citizens to put a great city back together again. I 
salute the medical professionals and volunteers from around the country 
and especially those from the Virginia Dental Association who are 
giving of their time, money, and expertise to help bring normalcy back 
to the lives of their fellow citizens. The entire Virginia 
Congressional delegation salutes the Virginia Dental Association as 
ambassadors of goodwill and Virginia values.

                          ____________________