HR35.html

Commending Dr. Francis J. Tedesco as the distinguished President of the Medical College of Georgia and inviting him to appear before the House of Representatives; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, Dr. Francis J. Tedesco has served with the utmost dedication and ability as the President of the Medical College of Georgia since July 1, 1988, and will retire on January 31, 2001, having contributed substantially to the quality of Georgia's medical education, research, and service; and

WHEREAS, he joined the faculty at the Medical College of Georgia in 1978 as an associate professor in gastroenterology, became a professor in 1981, directed clinical activities in 1984, and was interim dean from 1986-1988; and

WHEREAS, he was President of the American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy from 1985-1986, received the Rudolf Schindler Award in 1993, served as a reviewer for 14 nationally known journals, been a member of five editorial boards, and published over 180 research articles, abstracts, and book chapters; and

WHEREAS, he has chaired the National Digestive Disease Advisory Board of the National Institutes of Health and been involved in making recommendations to the U.S. Congress, Secretary of Health and Human Services, and directors of various federal agencies; and

WHEREAS, since 1992, he has chaired the Health Strategies Council, been a member of the Georgia Coalition for Health, and been a valuable leader in his community, state, and nation; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Tedesco has contributed significantly to the health of Georgia's children by recruiting faculty and staff who specialize in treating children and adolescents and by pursuing construction of the MCG Children's Medical Center, a hospital that provides an ideal setting for the treatment of these young patients; and

WHEREAS, he has contributed to the health of all Georgians by establishing the MCG Telemedicine Center, which uses technology to eliminate distance as a barrier in providing health care across the expansive, largely rural State of Georgia; and

WHEREAS, he has contributed to the future health of those in Georgia and beyond by providing an educational environment that attracts outstanding students who will become outstanding health care practitioners; and

WHEREAS, he has further contributed to the future of health care by bolstering research initiatives to learn more about the diseases that impact the brain and body; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Tedesco has significantly enhanced the future of MCG's tripartite missions of academics, research, and patient care by establishing 30 endowed chairs during his tenure, the income from which is used to recruit and retain first-class faculty; and

WHEREAS, he has further strengthened the university's present and future by bolstering the MCG Foundation's assets tenfold, ensuring that significant private support is available for the university; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Tedesco, his wife Luann, and daughter Jennifer have excelled as ambassadors for the state's health sciences university.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that this body commends Dr. Francis J. Tedesco as President of the Medical College of Georgia and conveys to him its appreciation and best wishes on his retirement.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Dr. Tedesco is invited to appear before the House of Representatives at a time to be determined by the Speaker.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized and directed to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to Dr. Francis J. Tedesco.