January 4, 1989 commemorates the 100th Anniversary of the establishment by
Congress of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. The men and
women of the Corps represent the Nation's mobile force of health professionals, structured along military lines, subject
to duty anywhere assigned by the Surgeon General.
The mission of the U.S. Public Health Service, the health component of the Department of Health and Human Services, is to
promote the protection and advancement of the health of the American people -- in short, improving the Nation's health.
The Commissioned Corps is that part of the Public Health Service which can be, and frequently is, called upon to take assignments
to respond to health crises and changing health problems domestically and internationally. The Commissioned Corps is comprised
of some 5400 active duty officers trained in the various health disciplines. These men and women are physicians, dentists,
nurses, engineers, dietitians, health service officers, pharmacists, therapists, scientists, sanitarians and veterinarians.
They work in patient care, research, education and administration.
Their commitment to serving the Nation has made it possible for the PHS to respond to staffing needs of the Indian Health
Service, the National Health Service Corps, the Centers for Disease Control, the National Institutes of Health, the Food and
Drug Administration, the Alcohol, Drug Abuse and Mental Health Administration, the medical programs of the Federal Bureau
of Prisons and the U.S. Coast Guard, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Peace Corps, the World Health Organization,
and state and local health departments.
Commissioned Officers are called upon to shift duties in order to respond to natural disasters and national emergencies. Officers
are in the forefront of assistance in times of floods, earthquakes and epidemics, from smallpox, tuberculosis, and diptheria,
to research in Toxic Shock Syndrome and AIDS.
The long tradition of the men and women of the Commissioned Corps demonstrates their ability to meet the changing health needs
of the Nation and the World. They share a proud and distinguished history suitable for commemoration of its 100th Anniversary
We hope very much that you will consider this request. I stand prepared to provide appropriate assistance in achieving this
recognition for the men and women who have served over the past century to improve the health of people worldwide.