[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 7922-7923]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



   TRIBUTE TO DR. THOMAS T. HAIDER, ``PRIDE IN THE PROFESSION'' AMA 
                                HONOREE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN CALVERT

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 10, 2001

  Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to pay tribute today to Dr. 
Thomas T. Haider, a constituent of mine from the 43rd congressional 
district, who was recently recognized with the American Medical 
Association's (AMA) top national honor, the inaugural 2001 Pride in the 
Profession Award. The award highlighted the work of six physicians 
nationwide who have not only healed patients, but enriched the 
communities and inspired the colleagues with whom they come into 
contact.

[[Page 7923]]

  I once heard a quote that goes, ``It seems to me that a doctor's is 
the most perfect of all lives; it satisfies the craving to know, and 
also the craving to serve.'' I can think of no better words to describe 
the incredible devotion and duty that Dr. Haider has shown in his 
lifetime career as a physician.
  Spurred to become a physician at the age of 12, Dr. Thomas Haider 
intended to use his medical skills to help people in his home country 
of Afghanistan. Ultimately, political turmoil has prevented that, but 
he has still managed to touch and improve the lives of thousands all 
over the world.
  In 1994, Dr. Haider established the Children's Spine Foundation in 
the United States to provide free comprehensive spinal care for 
children without health insurance. And across the globe he sponsors a 
children's hospital in Afghanistan by supporting the salaries of 40 
physicians and providing funds for all medication and food supplies.
  Additionally, Dr. Haider's philanthropy includes: development of a 
new polyaxial pedicile screw for use in spine fusion surgeries, 
increasing their success rate; establishment of the first Spine 
Fellowship Program at the University of Colorado Medical Center; 
volunteer work to train doctors; creation of the American Board of 
Spine Surgery; and, endowment to the Biomedical Sciences Program at the 
University of California at Riverside, which bears his name.
  Mr. Speaker, in my district of Riverside, California we are fortunate 
to have dynamic and dedicated individuals who give unselfishly of their 
time and talents to ensure the well-being of our city, state, nation 
and--in Dr. Haider's case--world. These individuals work tirelessly to 
enrich and brighten the lives of so many. Therefore, it is my distinct 
pleasure to take to the House of Representatives' chamber today to 
personally honor and commend Dr. Thomas T. Haider for all of his 
dedicated service to our community.

                          ____________________