[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 7]
[Senate]
[Page 9146]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO JOHN L. KIRKWOOD

  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, today I honor the distinguished career of 
John L. Kirkwood and to congratulate him on his upcoming retirement. 
John Kirkwood is the current president and chief executive officer of 
the American Lung Association.
  Mr. Kirkwood graduated from Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. 
Since then, his life has been dedicated to improving the health of our 
country.
  Mr. Kirkwood served as executive director of the American Lung 
Association of Metropolitan Chicago from 1975 to 2001. During his 
tenure, he was instrumental in organizing the American Lung Association 
Asthma Clinical Research Network, the International Tuberculosis 
Foundation, the Illinois Coalition against Tobacco, the Chicago Asthma 
Consortium and the Combined Health Appeal of Illinois. His efforts have 
made it possible for more Illinoisans in the Chicago metropolitan area 
to breathe better today.
  Luckily for the rest of the country, Mr. Kirkwood decided to expand 
his commitment beyond the Chicago area to improving the health of the 
entire Nation. As president and CEO of the American Lung Association, 
Mr. Kirkwood has expanded the ALA's commitment to research nationwide, 
strengthened the organization's advocacy programs, and improved 
knowledge and information transfer systems to assist patients suffering 
from lung disease.
  As the leader of America's oldest national voluntary health 
organization, Mr. Kirkwood has shown an exemplary commitment to the 
health and social well-being of all Americans. Thanks to his work and 
his heartfelt dedication to the public's health, individuals in my 
State of Illinois and the Nation as a whole will breathe cleaner air 
and lead healthier, happier lives. We are fortunate for his years of 
dedication to the American Lung Association, and his leadership will be 
deeply missed.
  Mr. President, I congratulate Mr. Kirkwood on his many 
accomplishments throughout a long and successful career. As he 
concludes this chapter of his professional life, I wish him many more 
years of happiness and accomplishment.

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