[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 18 (Tuesday, January 28, 2020)]
[House]
[Page H573]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       ACT ON PHYSICIAN SHORTAGE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Costa) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about the healthcare 
crisis that we have in America today--primarily, the physician shortage 
that exists throughout the entire United States. It is a crisis that we 
must do something about.
  In the next 15 years, the United States is expected to face a 
shortfall of over 4,000 primary care physicians alone. Rural and low-
income communities, many of which I represent, are expected to feel the 
brunt of this shortage, communities such as those in California, like 
the San Joaquin Valley.
  The San Joaquin Valley has the lowest number of physicians in the 
State, approximately 0.9 physicians per 1,000 people. That is less than 
one. The statewide average is 2.2 physicians for every 1,000 people, 
which is twice as many.
  Last week, I introduced legislation to help tackle this crisis. The 
Expanding Medical Education Act of 2020 will provide over $200 million 
in funding to promote medical training in areas of high need throughout 
the country, like the San Joaquin Valley, with a focus on diverse and 
medically deprived communities.
  We have Governor Gavin Newsom's and our local legislators' support on 
this legislation. Medical institutions, such as the University of 
California, San Francisco, have used funding from this effort to train 
and develop homegrown physicians under the residency program for 45 
years in the valley and throughout the State. It is very important.
  We have discovered that when you train physicians locally, residents, 
they are more inclined to practice in that area--in our case, in the 
valley--and bring healthcare to our communities.
  Studies consistently show that students who can find quality 
education near their homes and families will be more likely to stay 
there after graduation. It is just common sense.
  Growing our own doctors is essential to confronting this medical 
crisis, and I will continue to fight for every dollar to ensure that 
our valley residents have access to the necessary healthcare that they 
deserve.


                         Recognizing Tom Flores

  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I also rise today to recognize the career of 
Tom Flores, a trailblazer in the Latino/Hispanic communities in 
professional football. It is appropriate. With the Super Bowl coming up 
this Sunday, I can't think of a better time to do it.
  A native of my hometown, Fresno, California, Tom Flores was a gifted 
athlete, both in high school and college, and, later, in professional 
football. He played for the Oakland Raiders, becoming the first 
Hispanic starting quarterback in professional football.
  Tom's success didn't stop there. After ending his playing career, he 
went on to win Super Bowl XI as the assistant coach for the Raiders in 
1977. Then, 4 years later, he again led the team to victory as head 
coach, becoming the first Hispanic coach to win a Super Bowl, both in 
1980 and in 1983. He won it twice.
  To this day, he is one of only two people in history to win multiple 
Super Bowls as a player, an assistant coach, and a head coach. Mike 
Ditka is the only other coach who falls in that category.
  Tom Flores is terrific. He left professional football with a record 
of 97 wins and 87 losses as head coach, including a playoff record of 8 
wins and 3 losses, including a stint as head coach and general manager 
of the Seattle Seahawks.
  Since retiring, Tom Flores has used his influence to bring 
educational opportunities to the valley, his home, a place he has 
never, ever forgotten, through the Tom Flores Youth Foundation effort. 
Over the years, he has raised nearly $2 million to support local school 
districts in science, art, and athletic programs.

  Sadly, Tom Flores was short of the required votes needed for 
induction into the Professional Football Hall of Fame, and this is not 
the first time he has been passed over.
  This week, I am introducing a resolution calling for the recognition 
of his significant accomplishments in the sport and his induction into 
the Pro Football Hall of Fame--well deserved and overdue.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation and 
honor the invaluable contributions that Coach Tom Flores has made to 
his community, to his country, and to America's game.
  We have the Super Bowl this Sunday. We will all be watching it, I am 
sure. I know Tom Flores will be. He deserves to be in the national Pro 
Football Hall of Fame at Canton, Ohio. I can't think of anyone more 
deserving than Coach Tom Flores.

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