Washington, DC – Congressman Al Green (TX-09), today, successfully passed his bill H.R. 1154, which would award Texas medical legend, Dr. Michael E. DeBakey, with a Congressional Gold Medal of Honor, in the House of Representatives.  This bill was originally introduced in the House of Representatives on February 16, 2007 by Congressman Al Green.  A total of 290 member signatures were needed to release the bill from the Financial Services Committee and send it to the House floor.  Joined by bill co-sponsors, Congressmen Michael Burgess (TX-26) and John Culberson (TX-07) - the Texas trio worked together to gain the necessary co-sponsors and strong bi-partisan support for this bill.  On September 7, 2007, Dr. DeBakey’s 99th birthday, Congressman Al Green and Congressman Michael Burgess called Dr. DeBakey to wish him a happy 99th birthday and share with him news of the bill’s 313 co-sponsors and its movement to the House floor.  Upon hearing the news, Dr. DeBakey remarked, “I am so grateful that I am citizen of the United States”.  The Congressional Gold Medal is the nation's highest and most distinguished civilian award.

“Dr. DeBakey truly is a living legend, who has dedicated his life to saving the lives of others.  In his 99 years, he has operated on more than 60,000 patients in Houston alone, and has treated the very rich and the very poor, all with the same high standards of care and unwavering compassion,” stated Congressman Green.  “Dr. DeBakey’s wisdom has been sought by every U.S. President since Harry S. Truman. In 1964, he performed the first successful coronary bypass, a procedure that has saved the lives of millions worldwide. During his military service in the Surgeon General’s Office in World War II, he was instrumental in establishing the Mobile Army Surgical Hospitals (MASH units), and later the Department of Veterans Affairs Hospital system.   His impact on the field of medicine has been both national and international.  Dr. DeBakey has helped to establish healthcare systems in countries throughout the world including Jordan, Morocco, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Spain.”

“This medal is presented both for singular acts of exceptional service and for lifetime achievement.  I can think of no one whose contributions to society have been as unique and long lasting as Dr. DeBakey’s-whose life has been full of remarkable achievements. That is why I dedicated myself to introducing this bill and working with my colleagues to see it through.  Today we can all take pride in this labor of love,” continued Congressman Green.  “Dr. DeBakey has truly earned the right to receive the Congressional Gold Medal and take his place in history alongside other Congressional Gold Medal recipients, such as George Washington, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and Mother Teresa.  It was through collaborative bipartisan efforts, especially on behalf of my colleagues from the Texas delegation, Dr. Michael Burgess and John Culberson, that we were able to gain the necessary signatures to move this bill to the House floor. I would like to thank both Congressmen Burgess and Culberson for joining me in my efforts in the house and my friend and colleague, the senior Senator from Texas, Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison for her efforts in the Senate on this legislation. I am honored that, today, we have all attained the fruits of our labor and will be able to honor this true medical legend and pioneer with our nation’s highest and most distinguished civilian award.”