[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 45 (Monday, March 9, 2020)]
[House]
[Page H1539]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS RIO GRANDE VALLEY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Vela) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. VELA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the University of 
Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine on the successful 
establishment of a medical school, commemorated through the graduation 
of their inaugural class.
  The class of 2020 has established a precedent of success and 
excellence for the UTRGV School of Medicine and for all future classes 
to emulate.
  The establishment of the UTRGV School of Medicine followed decades-
long efforts to ensure that Rio Grande Valley residents have access to 
quality healthcare services, an important milestone for the region.
  From 1997 to 2009, a regional academic health center was opened and 
efforts to build the resources and healthcare infrastructure were 
launched. The success of these efforts resulted in the Texas 
Legislature approving the creation of the medical school in 2013.
  In 2015, the UTRGV School of Medicine received preliminary 
accreditation, which allowed the university to recruit its first 
medical school class. The inaugural class will receive their doctor of 
medicine degrees on May 9, 2020, when they will then go on to complete 
specialized medical training across the country, including in south 
Texas.
  The UTRGV's School of Medicine class of 2020 is the future of 
healthcare not only for the Rio Grande Valley but for this country.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the UTRGV 
School of Medicine's first graduating class. Congratulations to the 
university for their success.
  To these future physicians, thank you for choosing to be our Nation's 
healers.

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