WASHINGTON -- Houston heart surgeon Michael DeBakey, a pioneer
of life-saving bypass surgery, received the nation's highest
civilian honor Wednesday.
DeBakey, 99, was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal for a
lifetime of achievement in medicine, including his cardiac surgery
advances, helping create the military's Mobile Army Surgical
Hospitals, and inventing many medical devices and procedures.
President Bush, bestowing the award in a Capitol ceremony,
noted that the award has rarely been given to scientists. But
those Congress recognized are "iconic," including Thomas Edison
and Walter Reed.
"Today we gather to recognize that Michael DeBakey's name belongs
among them," Bush said.
Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, who has pushed for DeBakey
to receive the honor since 2004, called the doctor a "legend in
the field of medicine."
"Today, our pride is in you, Dr. DeBakey, as we recognize your
extraordinary impact on America and the world," she said.
DeBakey took the opportunity to urge Congress to consider the
model of the Veterans Administration, which provides higher-
quality care at lower costs than many other medical services.
"There must be something about what they are doing that we can
use to expand health care for the needy," he said.
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