[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 3]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 4496]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




        HONORING DR. BERNARD EICHOLD, 2012 MOBILIAN OF THE YEAR

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JO BONNER

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 21, 2013

  Mr. BONNER. Mr. Speaker, many times this House honors outstanding and 
influential Americans who have given of themselves to make a difference 
in the lives of their fellow citizens. However, it is not often that we 
shine the spotlight on individuals who literally have safeguarded the 
health and well-being of hundreds of thousands. Dr. Bernard Eichold is 
one such example and I'm proud to pay tribute to him today as the 2012 
Mobilian of the Year.
   Born and raised in Mobile, Dr. Bert Eichold was taught early the 
importance of serving others. Through his parents, Dr. Samuel and 
Charlotte Eichold, he gained an understanding of the vital role that 
proper medical care and preventative educational outreach programs play 
in the well-being of a community. For this reason, it is not surprising 
that he chose to follow in his father's footsteps by becoming a doctor 
himself.
   Bert attended his father's alma mater, Tulane University, where he 
obtained his Bachelor of Science Degree, Master of Public Health 
Degree, Medical Doctor Degree, and his Doctorate of Public Health 
Degree. Like his father, he also served honorably in the United States 
Navy, rising to the rank of Captain before pursuing a full-time career 
in medicine at home in Mobile.
   A long-time physician, Bert touched many lives with his caring 
approach to health care. But like his father before him, he didn't 
limit his contributions to the confines of his medical practice. In 
1990, he stepped forward to take on the role as health care advocate 
for the entire county. As the Health Officer for Mobile County, he is 
responsible for safeguarding the health and the environment for over 
400 thousand people.
   After nearly a quarter century of his proactive leadership, the 
Mobile County Health Department has effectively doubled the number of 
patients to over 140,000 a year. His dedication to the health education 
and prevention also helped to place him as Area Health Officer for 
Public Health Area XI for the State of Alabama Department of Public 
Health.
   Also like his father, Bert took on highly respected teaching roles 
at the University of South Alabama. He is Adjunct Professor in the 
Department of Medicine where he has served as the Co-Course Director of 
Public Health and Epidemiology. He is also science advisor to the NASA 
DEVELOP National Program which extends NASA Earth Science research to 
the community through the volunteer work of local college students. In 
2012, he was presented NASA's Exceptional Public Achievement Medal for 
this work in support of NASA DEVELOP in South Alabama since 2003.
   His dedication to public health and education is matched by his 
involvement in the local community. He is currently serving as Chairman 
of the Board of the Community Foundation of South Alabama. He is an 
active member of the Alabama Public Health Association, Mobile United, 
and the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce. His philanthropy and volunteer 
efforts have also touched more than 50 organizations in South Alabama.
   And finally, Bert carries on the proud tradition of his father who 
was named the 1989 Mobilian of the Year.
   On behalf of the Cottage Hill Civitan Club and the people of Mobile, 
I would like to extend congratulations to Dr. Bert Eichold on being 
named the 2012 Mobilian of the Year.

                          ____________________