[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 83 (Tuesday, May 14, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3681-S3682]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                     TRIBUTE TO MATTHEW JONES, O.D.

 Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize Dr. 
Matthew Jones, the 2024 American Optometric Association Optometrist of 
the Year.
  Dr. Jones is an optometrist in northeast Arkansas who delivers 
excellent, high-quality care to his patients in Blytheville and 
Osceola. Through his personal approach to patient eye care, Dr. Jones 
has exemplified what a successful practice can achieve for his 
neighbors' health and sense of community. While he enjoys serving his 
patients, he has also been involved in shaping policies to strengthen 
the eye care profession at the Federal and State levels. He helped 
advocate passage of legislation expanding the scope of practice for 
Arkansas optometrists to perform new procedures.

[[Page S3682]]

  Dr. Jones also served as a board member for Arkansans for Healthy 
Eyes, president of the Arkansas Optometric Association, Federal 
Advocacy Representative, and on Optometry's Meeting Committee. 
Currently, he is the legislative chair for the Arkansas Optometric 
Association and a member of the American Optometric Association's 
government relations committee. Dr. Jones was also recently named by 
Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders to the State Board of 
Optometry.
  Throughout his career, Dr. Jones has been dedicated to his patients, 
the field of optometry and promoting policies that make the eye care 
industry better. His advocacy and leadership have earned him the 
respect of his peers and colleagues. He has continuously been 
recognized for his contributions. In addition to earning the 
distinction as Optometrist of the Year, his accolades include the 2012 
Arkansas Young O.D. of the Year, the American Optometric Association 
2018 Young Optometrist of the Year, and the 2023 Arkansas Optometrist 
of the Year. Dr. Jones received his undergraduate degree in 
biochemistry from the University of Evansville and attended my alma 
mater, the Southern College of Optometry, where he graduated with 
honors in 2009.
  Arkansas is fortunate to have a dedicated and hardworking optometrist 
like Dr. Jones representing excellent eye care professionals across our 
State. His commitment to his practice and profession and his leadership 
to strengthen the industry all serve as an excellent example.
  I am pleased to congratulate Dr. Jones for this achievement and wish 
him continued success in his practice. I join many others in sharing my 
hope that he also continues his advocacy that has served our patients, 
eye doctors, and all those supporting them so well.

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