[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 21]
[Senate]
[Page 29734]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               TRIBUTE TO DR. GEORGE V. IRONS, JR., M.D.

 Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. President, today I commend Dr. George V. 
Irons, Jr., M.D., native Alabamian, for his outstanding achievements as 
one of our Nation's foremost cardiologists.
  Dr. Irons has treated the hearts of Americans for over five decades. 
He graduated from the Medical College of Alabama, earning the highest 
grades ever recorded in the school's history, straight A-plus. Since 
that time, his professional accomplishments have been many.
  While at the Medical College of Alabama, he was selected by the 
American Medical Association as one of the top two medical students in 
the nation. For his superior scholastic record, leadership and service, 
he won the Stuart Graves Award, as the Medical School's top student.
  After military duty as a flight surgeon, Captain, U.S. Air Force, 
internship and residency, chief resident in cardiology, Dr. Irons 
joined the Duke University Medical School Faculty in 1964, where he was 
named fellow in cardiovascular diseases.
  Dr. Irons' career has truly been notable. Since 1966, he has been in 
active practice in Charlotte, NC, as the first board certified 
cardiologist in western North Carolina. Dr. Irons was Founder and is 
president of Mid-Carolina Cardiology, a premiere coronary care 
provider.
  As a high school junior, Irons won the prestigious Bausch & Lomb 
Award, as America's top science student--a nationwide science talent 
search based on competitive examinations sponsored by the University of 
Rochester, NY. As the winner, he was offered a substantial scholarship, 
which he declined, to attend Samford University.
  He graduated from Woodlawn High School with a perfect academic 
record, first in his class, and served as president of the student 
body. At Howard College--now Samford University--he continued his 
course, finishing a rigorous 4 year pre-med curriculum in 35 months 
with a perfect 3.0--first in his class. For his excellence, he was 
awarded the John R. Mott Trophy and as the outstanding graduating 
senior, he won the Birmingham Exchange Club Trophy, Danforth Award, and 
the ODK National Leadership Award. He also found time to letter in 
varsity track and win the conference championship in his event.
  As a distinguished cardiologist, he was inducted as fellow into the 
American College of Cardiology and received a special Award of Merit 
with Citation from the National Association of Cardiologists for his 
distinctive research contributions to the science of coronary disease. 
Only eight physicians have been so honored in the Association's 
history. Dr. Irons' research has been published worldwide in leading 
medical journals.
  This year, Dr. Irons was named one of Samford University's 
Distinguished Alumnus. Samford University is one of America's finest 
liberal arts universities, founded and serving in the Christian 
tradition. To be selected Distinguished Alumnus, the nominee must be 
distinguished in their professional career, community and church 
involvement.
  I would like to commend Dr. Irons, achievements, research, and 
devotion to superior patient care. He exhibits tremendous dedication to 
the science of coronary disease to provide a better life for our 
citizens through more improved medical technology and treatment.
  I proudly salute Dr. Irons, one of Alabama's great native sons, for 
his extraordinary service to medicine and this latest honor as a 
Samford University Distinguished Alumnus.

                          ____________________