[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 5]
[Senate]
[Page 7027]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



    A TRIBUTE TO THE SOUTH DAKOTA STATE MEDICAL ASSOCIATION ALLIANCE

 Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the 
South Dakota State Medical Association (SDSMA) Alliance. This year the 
SDSMA Alliance will celebrate its 90th anniversary, making it the 
oldest continuous medical Alliance in the United States. For ninety 
years, this physicians' spouses organization has proudly been the 
volunteer hands and voices of the South Dakota State Medical 
Association.
  Though their accomplishments may not be always easily enumerated or 
quantified, their impact has been felt across every mile of the state 
of South Dakota. The SDSMA Alliance has led or united with other 
organizations in an effort to insure that our communities are healthier 
and safer. Members of the SDSMA Alliance have always reached out to 
feed the hungry, give warmth to those who were cold, provide shelter 
and safety to the abused, and bring smiles and joy to children in need 
of books or toys. Health promotion and community projects are, indeed, 
the cornerstone of the Alliance.
  Oftentimes, the mission statement of an organization tells us all we 
need to know about the character of the individuals who have joined 
together. In the case of the SDSMA Alliance, this statement holds true 
once again. Their mission to promote public health, create safer 
communities, protect the patient-physician relationship, and generate 
funds to help educate future physicians is a testament to their desire 
to positively impact every South Dakota community in which their work 
is done.
  As just one example of the Alliance's hard work and dedication, last 
June they declared-not war-but peace on all school campuses throughout 
out state. Their focus was not just on guns and grenades, but bullying 
and fist fights, taunting and threats, intolerance and isolation, 
because that, as we all know, is where the problems usually begin.
  To emphasize the need to provide our children and educators with a 
safe school environment, the SDSMA Alliance launched a campaign to 
provide K-3rd grade students with conflict resolution and self-esteem 
building activities. Thousands of ``I Can Choose,'' ``I Can Be Safe,'' 
``Hands Are Not For Hitting,'' and ``Be A Winner'' workbooks were 
distributed to schools and shelters throughout our state. Their goal 
was to arm children with self-esteem and to teach them how to make 
healthier and safer choices. It is efforts such as these that weave the 
fabric of our communities closer together and promote safe, learning 
environments for South Dakota's children.
  Mr. President, it is with great honor that I rise today to recognize 
the South Dakota State Medical Association Alliance for ninety years of 
hard work and dedication to the health and safety of the people of 
South Dakota. I applaud the SDSMA Alliance's efforts to combat those 
forces in our society which would jeopardize the mental and physical 
wellness of any citizen. I sincerely thank the Alliance for their 
positive contributions to South Dakota's communities, and I hope that 
one day we can stand together and say, ``Mission 
accomplished.''

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