[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 14]
[House]
[Pages 19065-19067]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1515
            HONORING OPERATION SMILE ON ITS 25TH ANNIVERSARY

  Ms. WATSON. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 208) honoring Operation Smile in the 25th 
Anniversary year of its founding, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 208

       Whereas Operation Smile is a private, not-for-profit 
     volunteer medical services organization providing 
     reconstructive surgery and related health care to indigent 
     children and young adults in developing countries and the 
     United States;
       Whereas in 1982, Dr. William P. Magee Jr., a plastic 
     surgeon, and his wife, Kathleen S. Magee, a nurse and 
     clinical social worker, traveled to the Philippines with a 
     group of medical volunteers to repair children's cleft lips 
     and cleft palates;
       Whereas there they discovered hundreds of children ravaged 
     by deformities, and although they helped many children, the 
     volunteers were forced to turn away the majority of those who 
     sought help;
       Whereas Operation Smile headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia, 
     was founded in 1982 by Dr. William Magee Jr. and his wife 
     Kathleen S. Magee to address this need;
       Whereas since 1982, Operation Smile's volunteers have 
     provided free reconstructive surgery to more than 100,000 
     children and young adults with facial deformities in 25 
     countries;
       Whereas Operation Smile provides education and training to 
     thousands of healthcare professionals globally, and is 
     implementing a plan for a Global Standard of Care to ensure 
     that every child treated will receive the same high standard 
     of care every time;
       Whereas Operation Smile provides a network of resources to 
     assist families in the United States with children born with 
     facial deformities;
       Whereas more than 450 Operation Smile Student Associations 
     in the United States and around the world build awareness, 
     raise funds, and educate students about values of commitment, 
     leadership, and volunteerism; and
       Whereas in 2007, in commemoration of its 25th anniversary, 
     Operation Smile has announced a year-long series of 
     initiatives to include implementing global standards of care 
     for all its medical programs, opening comprehensive care 
     centers in seven countries, hosting international forums on 
     medical diplomacy, and launching the World Journey of Smiles, 
     which consists of 40 simultaneous missions in 25 countries 
     with the

[[Page 19066]]

     goal of treating an estimated 5,000 children living with 
     facial deformities: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved,  That the House of Representatives recognizes the 
     25th anniversary of the founding of Operation Smile as its 
     volunteer medical professionals continue to travel around the 
     world to treat children suffering from facial deformities.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
California (Ms. Watson) and the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-
Lehtinen) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from California.


                             General Leave

  Ms. WATSON. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and 
include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. WATSON. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of this 
resolution, and I yield myself as much time as I may consume.
  I would like to thank our colleague, Congresswoman Thelma Drake, for 
sponsoring this important resolution and for her leadership on this 
issue.
  Twenty-five years ago, William and Kathleen Magee of Virginia 
traveled with other medical professionals to the Philippines to treat 
children with facial deformities. Little did they know it was a trip 
that would change their lives and the lives of thousands of children 
around the world.
  Inspired by the Filipino children, the Magees decided to start their 
own organization designed specifically to address cleft palates and 
cleft lips in countries where medical care leaves those afflicted with 
few options.
  They called it Operation Smile, and the Magees were the perfect 
couple to start it. William is a plastic surgeon, and Kathleen is a 
nurse and social worker. Since 1982, operating out of their 
headquarters in Norfolk, Virginia, they have led a dedicated coalition 
of medical services workers to address facial deformities around the 
world.
  Aside from appearance and comfort level, these are serious conditions 
that can cause problems with feeding and speech, as well as ear 
disease.
  In the past 25 years, Operation Smile has provided corrective 
reconstructive surgery to some 100,000 children and young adults in 25 
countries.
  Operation Smile adeptly recognizes the differences in these countries 
and brings together medical professionals to tailor their care 
depending on the setting. The organization coordinates training 
activities, as well as fellowships and professorships, to further both 
its own mission and the medical system in these countries overall.
  Operation Smile provides a network of resources to assist families in 
the United States with children born with facial deformities. It runs 
an annual international student leadership conference and student 
leadership program, and it trains surgeons in certain advanced skills.
  We can all learn from Operation Smile and the model it provides to 
medical professionals and organizations around the world, and we can 
all learn from the Magees that public service can go far beyond one's 
chosen profession.
  That is why I urge my colleagues to support this resolution to honor 
Operation Smile and William and Kathleen Magee on the 25th anniversary 
of their organization.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 208, which recognizes the 
25th anniversary of the founding of Operation Smile, a private 
nonprofit founded by Dr. and Mrs. William Magee of Virginia in 1982.
  Madam Speaker, the volunteers for Operation Smile provide 
reconstructive surgery and other health care to needy children in the 
United States, as well as in developing countries. They particularly 
help children with a cleft lip or cleft palate, congenital birth 
defects that occur as frequently as one in every 600 births.
  Clefts can cause multiple physical and mental health problems for 
children and adults, including feeding and speech difficulties, ear 
infections that can lead to deafness, and low self-esteem, as well as 
alienation from others.
  Children worldwide need not, and must not, suffer from these health 
problems simply because they were born with clefts. Surgery in infancy, 
adolescence or young adulthood can correct clefts and avert resulting 
medical and psychological difficulties.
  Sadly, many families who seek medical care and surgery for children 
born with clefts are turned away, both in the United States and abroad, 
due to lack of funds or shortages of medically trained professionals 
who can provide the care that these children urgently need.
  Fortunately, the outstanding medical professionals at Operation Smile 
have, for a quarter of a century, volunteered their time and effort to 
help save these children and their families. They have provided free 
reconstructive surgeries to over 100,000 children and young adults in 
this country and worldwide. They educate and train thousands of health 
care professionals across the globe. Just as importantly, they are 
developing future generations of volunteers for this noble cause.
  Young men and women at more than 450 Operation Smile student 
associations in the United States and abroad are fund-raising, building 
awareness and encouraging their fellow students to take charge, to lead 
and to volunteer their time to help others. In all of these ways, these 
volunteers demonstrate the potential that volunteers and nonprofits 
have to change lives, to tackle global problems and to significantly 
improve the world around them.
  Because of their 25 years of service, many children and young adults 
who were born with cleft lip or palate can look at themselves in the 
mirror with pride, and so can volunteers at Operation Smile.
  This resolution, offered by my good friend and colleague from 
Virginia (Mrs. Drake) sends the right message by recognizing and 
encouraging outstanding volunteers and achievements in the private and 
the nonprofit sector.
  Therefore, Madam Speaker, I urge the House to adopt this resolution, 
H. Res. 208.
  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, it is with great pleasure that 
I rise today to commend the efforts of Operation Smile during their 25 
years of service to the United States and to the world. I would like to 
thank my distinguished colleague, Congresswoman Drake, for sponsoring 
this resolution and bringing it to the floor. As we both represent the 
city of Norfolk, VA, the home of Operation Smile, I would just like to 
say a few words about Operation Smile and its efforts to help children 
around the world.
  What Operation Smile has accomplished since its inception is truly 
remarkable. Since its first mission in the Philippines in 1982, 
Operation Smile volunteers have treated more than 100,000 children and 
young adults and have trained thousands of health professionals around 
the world. In addition, through pure determination, Operation Smile has 
built bridges and built trust. As a result, it has created a presence, 
earned the respect of governments and ministries of health, and united 
cultures in over 25 developing countries.
  Operation Smile consists of a diverse group of volunteers from 
various countries and cultures, who come together with the common goal 
of repairing childhood facial deformities. Through these missions, the 
strongest bonds of friendships are forged as people who have very 
little in common work together to change a life. Operation Smile has 
demonstrated an ability to find working partnerships amid unstable and 
controversial conditions. Through diplomacy and leadership, coupled 
with medical aid and technology, it is able to heal and inspire cross-
cultural cooperation.
  While promoting medical diplomacy, Operation Smile continues to cross 
borders, bridge cultural and ethnic divides, and encourage 
collaboration and commitment. Its success has been astounding and as a 
result, Operation Smile has become the largest volunteer charity of its 
kind. Its efforts go beyond children and their families--Operation 
Smile changes communities, students, medical professionals, and 
healthcare systems.
  Just this past year, Operation Smile traveled to Jordan on two 
separate occasions in order to provide life-changing surgeries to 138 
Iraqi

[[Page 19067]]

children who were transported to Amman from Baghdad, and it worked with 
the Mercy ships to treat 54 children in Bangladesh. These missions 
consisted of volunteers from over a dozen countries who worked together 
side by side to help these children. In this time of war, the 
volunteers of Operation Smile managed to bring a bright light to the 
lives of these children that will last a lifetime.
  In the war against terrorism, hatred of Americans by other 
populations is a significant problem. The work of Operation Smile is 
immeasurable in developing good will to counteract that hatred. The 
doctors and other volunteers who work with Operation Smile and the 
children who have been helped by Operation Smile will serve as 
perpetual evidence of our good will and the best America has to offer. 
I cannot think of better ambassadors for the United States than the 
founders of Operation Smile, Dr. Bill and Kathleen Magee.
  In 1982, Bill and Kathleen saw a need both abroad and here at home to 
help children with deformities live a better and happier life. Because 
of their diligence, and that of the many volunteers and donors that 
have worked with Operation Smile over the past 25 years, Operation 
Smile has not only created smiles, but has changed the lives of 
hundreds of thousands of children across the globe.
  I would like to once again commend Operation Smile on the occasion of 
their 25th anniversary, and I wish them continued success bringing 
smiles to the faces of children and families worldwide.
  Mrs. DRAKE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 25th Anniversary 
of Operation Smile, a worldwide children's medical charity that repairs 
cleft lips and cleft palates for children and young adults in 
developing countries. Operation Smile, which is headquartered in 
Norfolk, VA, was founded by Dr. William Magee, Jr., a plastic surgeon, 
and his wife, Kathleen, a nurse and clinical social worker.
  In 1982, the Magees traveled to the Philippines with a group of 
medical volunteers to repair children's cleft lips and cleft palates. 
While many children were treated, the inundated volunteers, lacking in 
resources and manpower, were forced to turn away the majority of those 
who sought help.
  The Magees were heartbroken to see such an overwhelming need. Yet, 
instead of being discouraged, the Magees were inspired by their 
experience. As they prepared to leave the Philippines the Magees made a 
promise to return to the Philippines to help more children and 
Operation Smile was born.
  The Magees returned to Norfolk and began to solicit the donations of 
surgical equipment and supplies, began grassroots fundraising, and 
assembled a volunteer team of doctors, nurses and technicians. Just as 
they promised, the Magees returned to the Philippines to treat even 
more patients.
  Since those humble beginnings in 1982, Operation Smile has grown into 
a worldwide children's medical charity whose network of medical 
volunteers are dedicated to helping improve the health and lives of 
children and young adults worldwide. Operation Smile has helped more 
than 100,000 children and young adults in 30 developing countries 
overcome their physical irregularities. The organization now operates 
one of the world's largest volunteer networks, utilizing more than 
5,000 medical and non-medical professionals around the world.
  During their medical missions, credentialed medical professionals 
volunteer to repair facial deformities while building public and 
private partnerships that advocate for sustainable healthcare systems 
for children and families. Furthermore, Operation Smile trains and 
educates local medical professionals and leaves behind necessary 
equipment to lay the groundwork for long-term self-sufficiency.
  I commend the Magees for their passion to improve the health and 
lives of children and young adults worldwide. Through Operation Smile, 
their efforts over the past 25 years have offered new life and new hope 
to those suffering from facial deformities and their families. In 
recognition of Operation Smile's 25th Anniversary, I am truly honored 
to commend their noble work here on the floor of the House of 
Representatives.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, 
and I yield back the balance of our time.
  Ms. WATSON. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Watson) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 208, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution, as amended, was agreed to.
  The title was amended so as to read: ``Resolution recognizing the 
25th anniversary of the founding of Operation Smile.''.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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