Dr. DeBakey to Receive Congressional Gold Medal Struck by the United States Mint

President Bush to Present Nation’s Highest Civilian Honor to Cardiovascular Medicine Pioneer

WASHINGTON — The United States Capitol Rotunda will be the backdrop on April 23 when President George W. Bush presents the Congressional Gold Medal to heart surgeon Michael E. DeBakey, M.D.

Public Law 110–95, approved by President Bush on October 16, 2007, authorized the United States Mint to strike a gold medal to honor Dr. DeBakey for his many outstanding contributions to the Nation. 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.

Engraved on the medal's obverse is an image of Dr. DeBakey in full hospital scrubs, with a surgery in progress in the background. Inscriptions on the obverse are "Michael E. DeBakey, M.D.," "Act of Congress" and "2007."

The medal's reverse design depicts a human heart placed prominently over a globe representing the universal influence of Dr. DeBakey's teachings on cardiovascular procedures. A ribbon encircling the heart bears the following quote by Dr. DeBakey: "The pursuit of excellence has been my objective in life."

United States Mint Sculptor–Engraver Don Everhart designed both the obverse and reverse of the Michael DeBakey Congressional Gold Medal.

Three–inch bronze reproductions of the Michael DeBakey Congressional Gold Medal, priced at $38, will be available for purchase beginning noon (ET) on April 23. One and one–half inch miniature bronze replicas of the medal, priced at $3.75, also will be available. Customers may order these medals and other genuine United States Mint products at www.usmint.gov, or at the toll–free number, 1–800–USA–MINT (872–6468). There is an additional shipping and handling fee of $4.95 per order. Presentation cases also are available.

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