[WASHINGTON, DC]. – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) took to the Senate Floor today in support of the nomination of Dr. Vivek Murthy as Surgeon General. Durbin praised Dr. Murthy for his dedication to fighting obesity, tobacco related diseases, and other chronic diseases that account for 7 out of the top 10 causes for death in America and make up for 84 percent of America’s health care costs. Dr. Murthy’s nomination is supported by over 100 public health and medical organizations including the American College of Physicians, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Public Health Association, the American Hospital Association, the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association, and the American Diabetes Association.

“This past year, Americans have battled public health crises on all fronts. Here at home, parents watched while a severe strain of enterovirus spread from state to state, threatening the lives of young children. Abroad, we still face the worst Ebola epidemic in history. With over 6,300 deaths, and many more diagnosed with this devastating disease, now, more than ever, Americans need a top doctor. Dr. Vivek Murthy is that doctor,” Durbin said.

“I know that the Indian-American community is very proud of Dr. Murthy’s accomplishments, as all of us should be.  I hope my colleagues will join me in voting for this outstanding nominee to be our next Surgeon General. There’s a lot of work to do, and I can think of no better doctor to do it.   

Durbin’s full speech, as prepared for delivery can be found below.

Video of Durbin’s speech is available here.

Audio of Durbin’s speech is available here.

Footage of Durbin’s full speech is available for TV Stations using FTP in high definition here and in standard definition here.

Surgeon General Nominee Dr. Vivek Murthy

Senator Dick Durbin

December 15, 2014

This past year, Americans have battled public health crises on all fronts.

Here at home, parents watched while a severe strain of enterovirus spread from state to state, threatening the lives of young children.

Illinois was one of the hardest hit. I heard from doctors across my state that the minute they discharged one child with respiratory symptoms from the emergency room, another one came in.

Abroad, we still face the worst Ebola epidemic in history.

With over 6,300 deaths, and many more diagnosed with this devastating disease, now, more than ever, Americans need a top doctor.

Dr. Vivek Murthy is that doctor, and I am proud to vote for him as the next U.S. Surgeon General.

I hope that you will do the same.

Dr. Murthy is an attending physician at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital and an instructor at Harvard Medical School.

Part of what’s extraordinary about him is that as well as treating his patients individually, he also thinks about the systemic issues affecting the health of his patients and strives to tackle those too.

He is a leading voice in public health, publishing his research on the participation of women and minorities in cancer clinical trials in top journals including Science, Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), and the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

Dr. Murthy also co-founded and chairs Trial Networks, a software company that helps clinical researchers collaborate more effectively and efficiently with drug developers to speed up drug discovery.

In 2011, Murthy was appointed to the Advisory Group on Prevention, Health Promotion, and Integrative and Public Health.

Over 100 national, state and local public health organizations have endorsed Dr. Murthy’s nomination, describing him as “a well-qualified, forward-thinking and innovative leader with a strong commitment to public health.” 

The organizations that support Dr. Murthy’s nomination include the American College of Physicians, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Public Health Association, the American Hospital Association, the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association, the American Diabetes Association, and many more.

In his confirmation hearing before the Senate HELP Committee last February, Dr. Murthy stated that, if confirmed, he would prioritize his efforts on obesity and tobacco-related disease, and “make prevention and health promotion the backbone of our communities.”

This is something Dr. Murthy and I have in common.

For the past thirty years, I’ve fought to reduce youth smoking, implement programs to help people quit, and rein in the most insidious practices of the tobacco industry.

Moreover, as co-chair of the Senate Hunger Caucus, I’ve become intimately familiar with the complex—and arguably unjust—way food is distributed and consumed with our country—leaving communities, including many in Illinois, simultaneously facing high levels of food insecurity and high rates of obesity.

Obesity and tobacco-related diseases are a part of a growing trend of chronic diseases that account for 7 out of the top 10 causes of death in America and make up 84 percent of America’s health care costs.

This is unacceptable.

I believe Dr. Murthy understands the importance of the national crises before him, and feel confident that his experiences, his training, and his tenacity have provided him the qualifications he needs to tackle these issues, and the many more he’s sure to face, head-on.

Not only is Dr. Murthy an outstanding doctor and public health expert, but he also remains closely connected to his community and family.

Dr. Murthy was born to parents who are originally from South India.  He came to the United States when he was three years old and grew up in Miami, Florida.

He did pretty well at school- he was valedictorian of his high school, and graduated magna cum laude from Harvard in just three years.  He then got a combined medical and business degree from Yale.  

From a very early age, Dr. Murthy has focused on giving back.

In 1995, he co-founded Visions Worldwide, a nonprofit organization that conducts and supports HIV/AIDS education and empowerment programs in India.  Until 2003, he served as its President, followed by Board chair.

He’s a dedicated uncle and friend, consistently described by those who know him as humble, soft-spoken, and a tireless worker.

I know that the Indian-American community is very proud of Dr. Murthy’s accomplishments, as all of us should be. 

I hope my colleagues will join me in voting for this outstanding nominee to be our next Surgeon General.

There’s a lot of work to do, and I can think of no better doctor to do it.