[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 5992]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING THE 200TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ONONDAGA COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY

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                          HON. JAMES T. WALSH

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 25, 2006

  Mr. WALSH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 200th 
Anniversary of The Onondaga County Medical Society. The Onondaga County 
Medical Society was first founded back on July 1, 1806. Back then, 11 
physicians met on top of Onondaga Hill at the first Onondaga County 
Courthouse to establish this great society.
  Since its founding, the society has helped Central New York deal with 
some of the more menacing health threats of the time. In the 1830s, 
physician members of the society dealt with Asiatic cholera. In the 
1900s, the society addressed the local impact of the worldwide flu; 
which resulted in over 750 deaths within the Syracuse area. During the 
1950s the society assisted the local community in dealing with the 
polio epidemic. Currently, the society and its more than 1,260 members 
are working with the New York State Department of Health in preparation 
for the possibility of a bird flu outbreak.
  The Onondaga County Medical Society also played a leading role in the 
establishment of the College of Medicine at Syracuse in 1872. In 1950, 
this college went on to become the Upstate Medical University, which 
has become a tremendous resource and aide for the entire Central New 
York region.
  Throughout its history, The Onondaga County Medical Society has 
played an important role in the healthcare of the people of Central New 
York. Members have done their best to live up to the Society's motto, 
``to promote and preserve quality health care by working for patients, 
physicians and the community.''
  On behalf of the people of Central New York, I applaud the 200 years 
of hard work members of The Onondaga County Medical Society have 
provided. I wish the Society the best of luck and expect nothing but 
the best service in the many years to come.

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