[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 67 (Monday, May 4, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S5085]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 127--RECOGNIZING THE MEMBERS OF THE UNITED STATES 
  ARMY AND THE PHYSICIANS OF MAINE MEDICAL CENTER FOR THE OPEN-HEART 
           SURGERY THEY PERFORMED ON A 6-YEAR-OLD IRAQI GIRL

  Ms. SNOWE submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
the Committee on Armed Services:

                              S. Res. 127

       Whereas 6-year-old Tiba and her mother, Sareea traveled 
     from the countryside of Iraq to Maine so that Tiba could 
     receive open-heart surgery;
       Whereas the bravery of a young child and the phenomenal 
     service of the courageous soldiers in the United States Army 
     are inspiring and place a human face and a human heart at the 
     center of one of the most war-torn areas in the world;
       Whereas Kim Block of WGME channel 13 in Portland, Maine 
     professionally produced and broadcast a heartwarming story on 
     this case;
       Whereas all of Maine feels a boundless sense of pride for 
     the tremendous commitment and contribution of Dr. Reed Quinn 
     who led the team of physicians at Maine Medical Center in the 
     8-hour open-heart surgery procedure that saved Tiba's life; 
     and
       Whereas such surgery was made possible by the compassion of 
     the Maine Foundation for Cardiac Surgery, and was a mission 
     fulfilled by a team of genuine heroes: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate recognizes the soldiers, doctors, 
     nurses, and hospital staff at Maine Medical Center for their 
     compassionate service, and Tiba and Sareea for their 
     remarkable courage.

  Ms. SNOWE. Mr. President, today I introduced a Senate Resolution 
recognizing the United States Army and the physicians of Maine Medical 
Center for saving the life of a 6-year-old Iraqi girl.
  My Maine constituents and I are bursting with pride over the 
tremendous commitment and contribution of Dr. Reed Quinn and the team 
of health professionals at Maine Medical Center who recently conducted 
an eight-hour open heart surgery procedure which saved young Tiba's 
life. The procedure was made possible by the compassion of the Maine 
Foundation for Cardiac Surgery, and the mission was fulfilled by a team 
of genuine American heroes, led by the U.S. Army.
  I am particularly touched by the bravery of a young child and the 
outstanding service of our courageous soldiers in the U.S. Army. I will 
always remember this story because it places a human face at the center 
of a war-torn area.
  After viewing the moving news series reported by Kim Block of WGME 
Channel 13 in Portland on ``Operation Good Heart,'' I thought it was 
fitting to recognize the story of 6-year-old Tiba and her mother, 
Sareea, and their journey from their village in Iraq to Maine. Tiba 
suffered a dangerous heart condition and was transported by the U.S. 
Army from Iraq to Maine for life-saving open-heart surgery performed by 
the talented physicians of Maine Medical Center.
  I hope my colleagues will join me in commending the dedicated 
soldiers of the U.S. Army, the superlative professionals of Maine 
Medical Center, the generous folks at the Maine Foundation for Cardiac 
Surgery, the good people of Channel 13, and--above all--the brave 
mother and daughter who traveled across the globe. This is a 
heartwarming story about wonderful people who make America great, and I 
urge adoption of the Resolution.

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