[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 72 (Thursday, June 8, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1056]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   RECOGNIZING DR. SAMUEL L. SELINGER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. CATHY McMORRIS

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 7, 2006

  Miss McMORRIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. Samuel L. 
Selinger for his unwavering dedication to provide access to affordable 
health care in the Inland Northwest. After a long and prestigious 
career as a heart surgeon, Dr. Selinger retired and began to volunteer 
his time and services at a free health clinic. There he experienced 
first hand the frustrations associated with caring for disadvantaged 
citizens and took it upon himself to find a better way to provide them 
with access to health care.
  The effort led by Dr. Selinger contributed to the development of a 
program in Spokane that caters to the health care needs of the low-
income population. As a result of his diligent work, in the fall of 
2003, Dr. Selinger witnessed the creation of Spokane's own Project 
Access. Project Access is a national movement of volunteer physicians 
that organizes free medical care to individuals that have a low income. 
After starting more than 10 years ago in Buncombe County, North 
Carolina there are now over 50 Project Access programs across the 
country that serve the health care needs of people who would normally 
be unable to obtain such care.
  In addition, Dr. Selinger has made it his responsibility to educate 
the community's medical professionals on the struggles that low income 
people face in accessing quality health care. Dr. Selinger has made it 
a priority to help numerous physicians understand how they can be part 
of the solution by organizing and contributing their services to 
chartable medical programs for disadvantaged people.
  Project Access continues to grow in the Spokane area. Because of its 
success, largely due to Dr. Selinger's commitment, the Spokane County 
Medical Society has agreed to sponsor Project Access and help expand 
the network of physicians in the Inland Northwest. Not only has Dr. 
Selinger and his tireless work been recognized by Spokane County, but 
it has also been recognized by distinguished community members, 
physicians, and private businesses. The impact of Project Access on our 
community would not be at the level it is today if it were not for the 
leadership of Dr. Samuel L. Selinger.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge Dr. Samuel L. Selinger for 
his exceptional service to the city of Spokane, and to thank him for 
the role he has played in providing free or low cost health care to the 
disadvantaged citizens of Spokane.

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