[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 5]
[House]
[Pages 6021-6022]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




AUTHORIZING THE USE OF THE ROTUNDA OF THE CAPITOL FOR THE PRESENTATION 
     OF THE CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL TO MICHAEL ELLIS DeBAKEY, M.D.

  Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to 
discharge the Committee on House Administration from further 
consideration of S. Con. Res. 71 and ask for its immediate 
consideration in the House.
  The Clerk read the title of the Senate concurrent resolution.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania?
  Mr. EHLERS. Mr. Speaker, reserving the right to object, I will not 
object, but I would like to make a few comments.
  I am proud to support S. Con. Res. 71, which authorizes the use of 
the Rotunda of the Capitol for a ceremony to award the Congressional 
Gold Medal to Dr. Michael Ellis DeBakey.
  A pioneer in the field of cardiovascular surgery, Dr. DeBakey became 
chairman of the Department of Surgery at Baylor University College of 
Medicine in 1948. Over the last half century, he has created a number 
of medical devices, techniques, and procedures that have saved 
countless lives. He is perhaps best known for his pioneering efforts in 
cardiovascular surgery, as he was one of the first physicians to ever 
perform coronary bypass surgery.
  Additionally, Michael DeBakey is credited with developing the concept 
for the Mobile Army Surgical Hospital, or M.A.S.H., units which were 
used in the Vietnam and Korean War to treat injured soldiers, saving 
even more lives.
  An adviser to nearly every President for the past 50 years, Dr. 
DeBakey has served the public through his vast knowledge on a variety 
of medical issues. He has published more than 1,300 medical articles 
and has performed over 60,000 cardiovascular procedures. He is a 
beloved educator, so much so that in 1976, his students across the 
globe worked together to establish the Michael E. DeBakey International 
Surgical Society in his honor.
  Dr. DeBakey has received numerous awards for his work, including the 
Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1969 and the National Medal of 
Science, which was awarded to him by the late President Ronald Reagan 
in 1987.
  I am extremely pleased that this bill will enable us to bestow 
another honor upon Dr. DeBakey as he receives the Congressional Gold 
Medal in the Rotunda of the United States Capitol.
  Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, would the gentleman yield?
  Mr. EHLERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Pennsylvania.
  Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, the concurrent resolution 
provides for the use of the Capitol Rotunda to award the Congressional 
Gold Medal, and I support the resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, Dr. Michael DeBakey is a pioneer in the field of heart 
surgery and research. Dr. DeBakey honed his skills as an Army doctor 
during World War II. While chairman of the Department of Surgery at the 
Baylor College of Medicine, Dr. DeBakey performed the first heart 
bypass surgery. He has saved countless lives.

[[Page 6022]]

  Dr. DeBakey has received a Presidential Medal of Freedom and the 
National Medal of Science, as well as awards from the American Medical 
Association, the American Heart Association, and the Academy of 
Surgical Research.
  We are honored to authorize the use of the Capitol Rotunda to present 
Dr. DeBakey with the Congressional Gold Medal, and again, I thank the 
gentleman from Michigan for his support.
  Mr. EHLERS. Mr. Speaker, I withdraw my reservation of objection.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania?
  There was no objection.
  The text of the Senate concurrent resolution is as follows:

                            S. Con. Res. 71

       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring),

 SECTION 1. USE OF THE ROTUNDA OF THE CAPITOL FOR THE PRESENTATION OF 
                     THE CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL.

       The rotunda of the United States Capitol is authorized to 
     be used on April 23, 2008, for the presentation of the 
     Congressional Gold Medal to Michael Ellis DeBakey, M.D. 
     Physical preparations for the conduct of the ceremony shall 
     be carried out in accordance with such conditions as may be 
     prescribed by the Architect of the Capitol.

  The Senate concurrent resolution was concurred in.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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