[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 4]
[House]
[Page 5248]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   NATIONAL OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE WEEK

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Nevada (Mr. Heck) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. HECK of Nevada. Mr. Speaker, I come to the floor today to 
announce that this week, April 14 through April 20, is National 
Osteopathic Medicine Week. This week celebrates the contributions of 
more than 100,000 osteopathic physicians and medical students in the 
United States to the health of our communities.
  There are many doctors in the House of Representatives, but as the 
lone osteopathic physician in Congress, I feel it incumbent upon me to 
mark this week by raising awareness of the importance of osteopathic 
medicine.
  The practice of osteopathic medicine was founded by Dr. Andrew Taylor 
Still in 1874, and over the past 139 years, osteopathic physicians have 
made significant contributions to the United States health care system. 
Osteopathic doctors have treated Presidents and Olympic athletes, 
contributed to the fight against AIDS, and continue to be involved on 
the front lines of our health care systems today. In fact, Dr. Martin 
Levine, immediate past president of the American Osteopathic 
Association, was part of the medical team at the Boston Marathon and 
was pressed into service, providing immediate care in the wake of 
yesterday's tragedy.
  As osteopathic physicians, we take a holistic approach to medicine 
that focuses on the health of the whole person, and we are committed to 
improving the health of the communities we serve through education and 
awareness, as well as delivering quality health care services.
  In light of the contributions made by osteopathic physicians to the 
health of our Nation, and this being their national week of 
recognition, I have introduced House Resolution 159, which calls on the 
House to support the designation of National Osteopathic Medicine Week.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing the field of 
osteopathic medicine and supporting the designation of National 
Osteopathic Medicine Week.

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