[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 155 (Thursday, October 22, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1513]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               RECOGNIZING DONALD ELLIS WILLIAMSON, M.D.

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ROBERT B. ADERHOLT

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 22, 2015

  Mr. ADERHOLT. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize the long and 
devoted public service of Donald Ellis Williamson, M.D. After serving 
more than two decades as Alabama's State Health Officer and three years 
as the state Medicaid Commissioner, Dr. Williamson is stepping down 
from these positions next month.
  Dr. Williamson attended the University of Mississippi School of 
Medicine, graduating Cum Laude in 1979. He pursued his internship and 
residency at the University of Virginia, and was certified by the 
American Board of Internal Medicine in 1982.
  With his education complete, Dr. Williamson then began his long 
career in public health. After serving four years as the State 
Tuberculosis Control Officer in Mississippi (1982-1986), he held a 
series of positions in the Alabama Department of Public Health. He 
began as the Director of the Division of Disease Control (1986-1989) 
before serving as the Director of the Bureau of Preventive Health 
Services (1989-1992). On November 18, 1992, he started his service as 
the head of the Department.
  During his tenure, Dr. Williamson became known for addressing key 
public health issues, such as disaster preparedness and advancing the 
health of children, in the name of improving health for all Alabamians. 
For example, in recent years, he led the state health efforts related 
to Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and also those related to the April 2011 
tornadoes. He was responsible for the design & implementation of the 
state's Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), known as ALLKIDS. 
This was one of the first Children's Health Insurance Programs in the 
nation and lowered the rate of uninsured children in Alabama from 20 
percent to under 7 percent. He was also intent on doing a better job of 
reducing infant mortality and increasing children's immunization rates.
  I wish Dr. Williamson all the very best as he steps down from the 
Department of Public Health and moves into his new role as president of 
the Alabama Hospital Association. I know that he will bring fresh 
insight to the Association and carry the organization to new heights. I 
look forward to working with him in this new position.

                          ____________________