[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 129 (Friday, September 21, 2012)]
[House]
[Pages H6236-H6237]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING DR. DENTON A. COOLEY

  (Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, on August 3, 1962, a life 
changing decision was made by Dr. Denton Cooley in the founding of the 
Texas Heart Institute.
  As I listened to the words said this morning, he chose wisdom over 
ignorance with respect to diagnosing cardiovascular disease, the most 
devastating killer of Americans, killing a life every 33 seconds, 2,600 
lives each day, and nearly 1 million lives each year.
  Dr. Cooley was honored this past week with tributes from President 
George Bush and President William Jefferson Clinton, joined by his wife 
and extended family. Over the years, he has been able to help men and 
women and children. He has done a magnificent job with respect to the 
amount of surgeries that have been performed. He performed more than 
118,000 open-heart operations, 258,000 cardiac catheterizations, and 
1,270 heart transplants.
  The Texas Heart Institute, along with St. Luke's Hospital, continues 
to serve the world and continues to do research to improve the lives of 
those who suffer from heart disease. Dr. James Willerson is the new 
CEO. His demeanor and temperament, his research abilities, and his 
leadership has taken this great institution to the 21st century.
  What a great honor to be with those who honor Dr. Denton Cooley for 
his wisdom and his ability to challenge medical profession science to 
be able to save lives. Today, children live, families are reunited, and 
we are stronger in our health because of the existence of the Texas 
Heart Institute. It is my privilege to congratulate them for 50 years 
of saving lives.

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