Washington, DC – Congressman Al Green (TX-09), today, passed S. 474, a bill sponsored and passed in the Senate by Texas Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), to award a congressional gold medal to Texas medical legend, Dr. Michael E. DeBakey.  On September 17, 2007, Congressman Al Green successfully passed his House version of this bill, H.R. 1154, with overwhelming bi-partisan support. Joined by bill co-sponsors Congressmen Michael Burgess (TX-26) and John Culberson (TX-07), this Texas trio worked together to gain the necessary co-sponsors and strong bi-partisan support for the House version of this bill.  Last month’s successful passage of the House version of this bill led the way for today’s successful passage of the Senate version. 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 House bill gaining 313 co-sponsors.   Upon hearing the news, Dr. DeBakey remarked, “I am so grateful that I am citizen of the United States”.  In order for the bill to be sent to the President for his signature, one version, either the House version or the Senate version, must pass both legislative bodies.  Today’s successful House passage of the Senate version sends this bill to the President, who will have 10 days to sign it. 

After the bill has been signed by the President, officials from the U.S. Mint will meet with sponsors of the legislation and other interested parties (e.g., family members) to discuss possible designs for the medal. Mint engravers will then prepare a series of sketches of possible designs for consideration and comment by the Commission of Fine Arts and subsequently the Secretary of the Treasury who makes the final decision on the medal’s design. This process ensures that each medal is unique, representing each individual and/or event that it has been awarded for. The legislation also provides for replicas of the medal, cast in bronze, to be sold.  After the medal is created by the Philadelphia Mint, a presentation ceremony will be held to honor Dr. Michael E. DeBakey with the Congressional Gold Medal of Honor, Congress’ highest and most distinguished civilian award.

“I am so proud to be a part of this final legislative stage to award Dr. Michael E. DeBakey with a congressional gold medal of honor.  It has truly been the highpoint in my life to be the original sponsor of the bill that passed the House and now to carry the Senate bill through the House.  Our senior Senator from the great State of Texas has made this achievement possible.  Her hard work, consistency, and persistence truly led us in working together to move forward as quickly as possible to honor Dr. DeBakey with our nation’s highest and most distinguished civilian award.  It was through collaborative bipartisan efforts, especially on behalf Senator Hutchison, Dr. Michael Burgess, and John Culberson, that we were able to take this final step.” stated Congressman Al Green.  “Dr. DeBakey’s life proves that not only can one person impact the world, but he can also change the world for the good of all.  Truly a living legend, Dr. DeBakey 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.  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 many countries across the globe including Jordan, Morocco, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Spain.  If we did not have the congressional gold medal, we would have to create one for Dr. Michael E. DeBakey for his lifetime of remarkable achievements and exceptional service.  God bless you, Dr. DeBakey.  Thank you for all you have done for all of us”