[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 10 (Thursday, January 16, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E87]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           CELEBRATING THE 100TH BIRTHDAY OF DR. MARION DOWNS

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                           HON. DIANA DeGETTE

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 16, 2014

  Ms. DeGETTE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 100th 
birthday of Dr. Marion Downs and celebrate her pioneering work to 
expand hearing screening in newborns and early intervention for 
individuals with hearing problems. Dr. Downs' groundbreaking work has 
served as an inspiration for many generations of Coloradoans and the 
medical community.
   Dr. Downs is a Distinguished Professor Emerita at the University of 
Colorado School of Medicine. She began her esteemed career in Colorado, 
at University of Denver, where she was a professor of Audiology and 
Director of the Audiology Clinic from 1951 to 1959. It was there that 
Dr. Downs began implementing hearing aids for infants as young as six 
months old during a period of time when hearing aids were typically 
fitted at the age of three. Her practice of applying hearing aids at 
such a young age has shown tremendous results in hearing, speech and 
communications development. Dr. Downs then moved to the University of 
Colorado School of Medicine where she developed the first national 
infant hearing screening program in 1963. Since that time, she has 
devoted her professional career to identifying and managing infant 
hearing issues and developmental strategies.
   Throughout her 35 year career, Dr. Downs has received numerous 
awards such as the Outstanding Achievement award from the University of 
Minnesota, Gold Medal Recognition from the University of Colorado, 
Northern Colorado and the University of Arizona School of Health and 
Sciences. She has received honors from nearly every auditory and speech 
society and has co-authored textbooks such as Hearing in Children, 
which serves as a worldwide resource to educate students on childhood 
auditory disorders.
   At the age of 100, the lively Dr. Downs continues her work on 
important health issues related to auditory, speech and communication 
disorders. There is no doubt that Dr. Downs tireless efforts will 
continue to inspire future generations for many years to come.

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