[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 3 (Thursday, January 8, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E48-E49]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      INTRODUCING LEGISLATION TO AWARD DR. JOSEPH B. KIRSNER THE 
                        CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MARK STEVEN KIRK

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 8, 2009

  Mr. KIRK. Madam Speaker, I am proud to introduce this bill to award 
Dr. Joseph B. Kirsner the Congressional Gold Medal for his

[[Page E49]]

outstanding work in the medical field of gastroenterology.
  The son of Russian immigrants, Kirsner overcame adversity as a young 
man and graduated from Tufts University School of Medicine at the top 
of his class. He went on to earn his medical degree at the University 
of Chicago. While training in Chicago, he became an expert in 
gastroenterology and helped to make the University of Chicago the 
premier center for research and therapy of inflammatory bowel disease. 
His leadership and research led to unprecedented medical advances in 
the field of gastroenterology, enhancing the lives of people across the 
world.
  Despite his devotion to his research, Kirsner was compelled to join 
the armed forces in World War earning a third Battle Star in the battle 
of the Philippines before serving under General Douglas MacArthur in 
Japan. Following the war, Kirsner became a full Professor of Medicine 
at the University of Chicago. During his time as a Professor, he 
published over 700 papers and 15 books, and gave over 25 named 
lectureships. He has served as a leader on a number of boards and 
foundations, such as the National Institutes of Health, the American 
Gastroenterological Association and the Chicago Medical Society. 
Despite all of his world-renowned successes, he continues to provide 
personal care to patients from across the country.
  Dr. Kirsner, a World War II veteran and devoted civil servant to the 
field of medicine, has lived his life in service to others, deserving 
of national recognition for his honorable contribution to our country.

                          ____________________