[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 130 (Friday, September 27, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1394-E1395]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    RECOGNIZING THE CONTRIBUTORS TO THE UPDATED GUIDELINES FOR THE 
      MANAGEMENT OF ACUTE CERVICAL SPINE AND SPINAL CORD INJURIES

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES R. LANGEVIN

                            of rhode island

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 27, 2013

  Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, there are an estimated 12,000 spinal cord 
injuries every year in the United States. These injuries most often 
result in temporary or permanent loss of sensation and paralysis, and 
they can forever change the lives of those who have been injured. 
However, thanks to the dedication of top scientists and medical 
professionals across the country, we hold out hope for more effective 
treatments, and one day, a possible cure.
  In recognition of September as Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month, 
we'd like to take this time to acknowledge the leadership of several 
neurosurgeons who worked diligently to review and update the Guidelines 
for the Management of Acute Cervical Spine and Spinal Cord Injuries, 
published in the March 2013 edition of Neurosurgery. This work 
describes the ``state of the literature'' with regard to the treatment 
of patients with cervical spine and spinal cord injuries and is a 
useful guide to help clinicians make important decisions in the care of 
their patients.
  The contributing members of this work include Mark N. Hadley, 
Division of Neurological Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham; 
Beverly C. Walters, Division of Neurological Surgery, University of 
Alabama at Birmingham and Inova Health System in Falls Church, 
Virginia; Bizhan Aarabi, Department of Neurosurgery, University of 
Maryland; Sanjay S. Dhall, Department of Neurosurgery, Emory 
University; Daniel E. Gelb, Department of Orthopaedics, University of 
Maryland; Mark R. Harrigan, Division of Neurological Surgery, 
University of Alabama at Birmingham; R. John Hurlbert, Department of 
Clinical Neurosciences, University of Calgary in Alberta, Canada; 
Curtis J. Rozelle, Division of Neurological Surgery, University of 
Alabama at Birmingham and Children's Hospital of Alabama; Timothy C. 
Ryken, Iowa Spine and Brain Institute, University of Iowa; Nicholas 
Theodore, Division of Neurological Surgery, Barrow Neurological 
Institute.
  Mr. Speaker, the standardization and refinement of surgical 
techniques over the last decade embodied in this work is a substantial 
accomplishment. It is a testament to the experience and dedication of 
its contributors, and I, along with Representatives Terri A. Sewell, 
Elijah E. Cummings, John Lewis, Bruce L. Braley, and Ed Pastor, hope 
you will join us in recognizing them for their impressive work. Due to 
their commitment, numerous lives are improved daily through the 
increased understanding and treatment of spinal cord injuries.

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