DeBakey Takes the Gold

The Congressional Gold Medal is held by Dr. DeBakey.

In a historical setting during an elaborate ceremony that included the President of the United States and the top leaders of Congress, Michael E. DeBakey, M.D., graciously accepted the highest honor a citizen can receive. (See slide show and news feature.)

After receiving the Congressional Gold Medal from President George W. Bush and the leadership of the U.S. House and Senate, Dr. DeBakey turned to the crowd gathered in the Capitol Rotunda to offer his appreciation for the award and for the presence of many colleagues who traveled from Houston for the event.

He spoke of the values his parents instilled in him as a child, the love of education that would propel him to be a pioneering heart surgeon and world renowned educator and the importance of helping others that would serve as the focus of his compassion in taking care of patients.

And in classic style, he took the opportunity to offer some suggestions to Congress about health care and to thank lawmakers for supporting medical research.

Dr. DeBakey is the 146th person to receive the Congressional Gold Medal. The award required signatures from individual members of both sides of Congress, a challenging task that was led by U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison and U.S. Rep. Al Green.

President Bush noted that the medal has been awarded sparingly throughout history.

"The recipients of this medal who have come from the world of science are few, but they are iconic—they include Thomas Edison, Walter Reed and Jonas Salk. Today we gather to recognize that Michael DeBakey's name belongs among them," he said.

Baylor College of Medicine President Peter G. Traber, M.D., led a contingent of BCM officials and faculty members to support the College's founding president and most famous faculty member.

The Michael E. DeBakey, M.D., Congressional Gold Medal

Each Congressional Gold Medal is individually designed to reflect the accomplishments of the recipient.

The public law also authorizes the United States Mint to produce and sell bronze reproductions of the medal.

Front

The front features DeBakey in full scrubs with a surgery in the background and the inscriptions "Michael E. DeBakey, M.D." and "Act of Congress 2007."

Back

The reverse features an anatomical heart placed prominently over a globe, representing DeBakey's teachings on cardiovascular procedures to surgeons around the world. The heart is encircled by a ribbon with the inscription, "The Pursuit of Excellence Has Been My Objective in Life," a quote from DeBakey.

The Michael E. DeBakey, M.D., Congressional Gold Medal

Front

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Features

Spotlight

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Development/Alumni

Volume 4, Issue 2, Summer 2008


	DeBakey Takes the Gold by Lori Williams The Congressional Gold Medal is held by Dr. DeBakey. In a historical setting during an elaborate ceremony that included the President of the United States and the top leaders of Congress, Michael E. DeBakey, M.D., graciously accepted the highest honor a citizen can receive. (See slide show and news feature.) After receiving the Congressional Gold Medal from President George W. Bush and the leadership of the U.S. House and Senate, Dr. DeBakey turned to the crowd gathered in the Capitol Rotunda to offer his appreciation for the award and for the presence of many colleagues who traveled from Houston for the event. He spoke of the values his parents instilled in him as a child, the love of education that would propel him to be a pioneering heart surgeon and world renowned educator and the importance of helping others that would serve as the focus of his compassion in taking care of patients. And in classic style, he took the opportunity to offer some suggestions to Congress about health care and to thank lawmakers for supporting medical research. Dr. DeBakey is the 146th person to receive the Congressional Gold Medal. The award required signatures from individual members of both sides of Congress, a challenging task that was led by U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison and U.S. Rep. Al Green. President Bush noted that the medal has been awarded sparingly throughout history. "The recipients of this medal who have come from the world of science are few, but they are iconic—they include Thomas Edison, Walter Reed and Jonas Salk. Today we gather to recognize that Michael DeBakey's name belongs among them," he said. Baylor College of Medicine President Peter G. Traber, M.D., led a contingent of BCM officials and faculty members to support the College's founding president and most famous faculty member. "Since receiving this award, my cup runneth over," DeBakey said. The Michael E. DeBakey, M.D., Congressional Gold Medal Each Congressional Gold Medal is individually designed to reflect the accomplishments of the recipient. The public law also authorizes the United States Mint to produce and sell bronze reproductions of the medal. Front The front features DeBakey in full scrubs with a surgery in the background and the inscriptions "Michael E. DeBakey, M.D." and "Act of Congress 2007." Back The reverse features an anatomical heart placed prominently over a globe, representing DeBakey's teachings on cardiovascular procedures to surgeons around the world. The heart is encircled by a ribbon with the inscription, "The Pursuit of Excellence Has Been My Objective in Life," a quote from DeBakey.		Search all issues: Features Treatments on the Horizon: Chapter and Verse on a Brain Killer Keeping Teen Dads Involved Fellow Travelers: The Human Microbiome Project Explores how our Bodies Co-exist with 1 Trillion Foreign Cells Two Brains are Better than One Spotlight Science as a Way of Life DeBakey Takes the Gold Caring for Community at Home and Abroad Injecting a Little Scientist in Every Doctor Designing a Building in the Eyes of a Researcher Laser Treatments Best Left up to Doctors Briefs Falls in Elderly Indicate Illness Gut-wrenching Facts on Colic Findings may Increase Survival after Injuries Some Like it Hot! Structure of Receptor for Chili Pepper and Pain Revealed Beware of Drinking Margaritas in the Sun Beetle-Mania Development/Alumni BCM Family Participates in Fundraising Campaign BCM Alums take D.C. Fellowships Seed Funding Leads to Breakthroughs Father, Daughter Team up for Health Care Steps to Discovery and Innovation

	Volume 4, Issue 2, Summer 2008



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