[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 123 (Friday, August 1, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1324]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              IN RECOGNITION OF THE US MEDICAL SOCCER TEAM

                                  _____
                                 

                           HON. TODD C. YOUNG

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, August 1, 2014

  Mr. YOUNG of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, as co-chair of the Congressional 
Soccer Caucus, I rise today to recognize the US Medical Soccer Team. 
The Congressional Soccer Caucus mission is to encourage legislation, 
activities and events that promote soccer and issues affecting the 
greater soccer community, toward encouraging healthy and active 
lifestyles among America's youth.
  The US Medical Soccer Team is an organization comprised of practicing 
physicians from around the country who share a passion for soccer, 
medical education and community service. They represent the United 
States in the World Medical Football Championships, which is an annual 
World Cup-style soccer tournament comprised of similar physician teams 
from around the world. On July 6th, the US Medical Soccer Team will 
kick off their fifth year of participation in this tremendous event, 
taking place this year in Natal, Brazil.
  The US Medical Soccer Team formed in 2010 by connecting physically 
active physicians who love the game of soccer. While their time on the 
soccer field has been an incredible experience, the growing focus of 
the organization has been community service. As active physicians, the 
US Medical Soccer Team is passionate about reaching out to underserved 
youth around the United States through their outreach program 
``Healthy, Fit and Smart''. This program, focused on fitness, nutrition 
and education, is a fun and interactive way for the team to convey the 
importance of an active and healthy lifestyle while educating about 
careers in science and healthcare. The soccer brought the team 
together, but the outreach has enriched their lives and fostered strong 
connections to numerous community centers and organizations around the 
country.
  In the summer of 2015, the US Medical Soccer Team is honored to host 
the World Medical Football Championships in Long Beach, California. 
This event will bring over 400 physicians from around the world to the 
United States for a week of athletic competition, medical education, 
and community outreach. The US Medical Soccer Team is confident this 
event and the organization's expanding efforts, both on and off the 
field, will be a source of pride for our nation.
  I urge all Americans to recognize the US Medical Soccer Team and wish 
them luck on the field as they head to Brazil to compete this summer in 
the Physicians' World Cup and support them off the field in their 
continued outreach efforts with underserved youth advocating for 
fitness, nutrition and education. As physically active doctors, they 
``walk the talk'' and encourage other colleagues and their patients to 
do the same.

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