[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 91 (Wednesday, June 17, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1443-E1444]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              IN MEMORY OF VIRGINIA APGAR OF WESTFIELD, NJ

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. LEONARD LANCE

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 16, 2009

  Mr. LANCE. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of Dr. Virginia Apgar 
of Westfield, New Jersey to celebrate her life and achievements with 
her family and friends, and with my colleagues here in the United 
States Congress and with the American people.
  Were she still alive today Dr. Apgar would have observed her 100th 
birthday this month.
  Born on June 7, 1909, Dr. Apgar enjoyed a long distinguished career 
in medicine, education, public health and devoted a significant amount 
of efforts to preventing birth defects of infants around the world.
  Educated at Mount Holyoke College and Columbia University, she became 
the director of anesthesiology at Columbia University's College of 
Physicians and Surgeons in 1938. In 1949, Dr. Apgar became the first 
full-time professor of her gender at Columbia University, overcoming 
the challenges for exceptionally talented women in higher education.
  While millions of parents around the world in the last half of this 
century may not have known Dr. Apgar, they do know her last name well. 
The Apgar Score--which she created in 1952--is a straightforward and 
efficient system designed to evaluate the vital signs of newborns at 
birth. It is still in use today around the world.
  The method she developed was the first time in public health that 
addressed the needs of newborns in the very early minutes of their

[[Page E1444]]

life after birth. The Apgar Score measures a newborn's appearance, 
pulse, grimace, activity and respiration. It has helped predict newborn 
survival and reduce infant mortality. Her efforts have changed the 
lives of millions.
  Dr. Apgar was a dedicated advocate of the March of Dimes. She 
initiated programs to promote rubella immunization for infants and 
helped convene the first Committee on Prenatal Health, which produced a 
milestone study on the regionalization of pre-natal care in the United 
States in 1976.
  While Dr. Virginia Apgar is not with us today, I would like to 
commend her for her lifetime of achievements. Not only do parents 
around the world appreciate her Apgar Scores, she has made numerous 
contributions to infant health.
  It is my pleasure to remember Virginia Apgar on the anniversary of 
her 100th birthday and share her wonderful life story with my 
colleagues in the United States Congress and with the American people.

                          ____________________