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October 17, 2008: Dr. Bernard Lown Day in Maine |
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October 15,
2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Governor Baldacci Proclaims Friday as Dr. Bernard Lown
Day
AUGUSTA - Governor John E. Baldacci announced today that he
will
proclaim Friday, Oct. 17, 2008, as Dr. Bernard Lown Day throughout
the
State of Maine. The proclamation will be issued in conjunction with
a
ceremony to officially rename the bridge that connects Lewiston
and
Auburn as the Bernard Lown Peace Bridge in his honor.
"It was a
proud day when we signed the legislation earlier this year to
rename the
South Bridge after such an impressive individual," Governor
Baldacci said.
"It is the hope that with the bridge renaming, many
future generations will
see Dr. Lown's name and will hopefully learn his
story and his incredible
humanitarian efforts."
Dr. Lown was born in Lithuania and immigrated
along with his family to
Lewiston at the age of 13. He graduated from
Lewiston High School and
the University of Maine and later went on to invent
the defibrillator.
He was a founder of Physicians for Social Responsibility
and the
International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War. In 1985
on
behalf of the latter organization, he accepted the Nobel Peace
Prize.
The public dedication ceremony, including a monument unveiling
and
ribbon-cutting, is set to begin at 10:15 a.m. on the Bernard Lown
Peace
Bridge, formerly the South Bridge.
The text of the proclamation
follows:
WHEREAS, Dr. Bernard Lown was born in Lithuania in 1921 and
arrived with
his family in Lewiston, Maine at the age of 13;
and
WHEREAS, Dr. Lown graduated summa cum laude from the University
of
Maine in 1942; and
WHEREAS, among Dr. Lown's accomplishments after
graduating from
the University of Maine, he developed the direct current
defibrillator,
which has helped saved an overwhelming number of lives;
and
WHEREAS, Dr. Lown was a founder of Physicians for
Social
Responsibility and the International Physicians for the Prevention
of
Nuclear War; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Lown accepted the Nobel Peace Prize
on behalf of
the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War
in 1985;
and
WHEREAS, Dr. Bernard Lown has devoted more than fifty
years to the
practice of medicine, the field of cardiology and the betterment
of
humankind; and
WHEREAS, through unanimous approval from the Auburn
and Lewiston City
Councils and as a result of Legislative action, the South
Bridge between
the two communities is being renamed as the Bernard Lown Peace
Bridge;
and
WHEREAS, the State of Maine officially recognizes Dr. Lown
for
his tremendous accomplishments throughout his career and his
life,
NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOHN E. BALDACCI, Governor of the State
of
Maine, do hereby proclaim October 17, 2008 as
DR. BERNARD LOWN
DAY
throughout the State of Maine, and urge all citizens to recognize
this
observance.
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Newsflash
Lisa Mullins' interview with Dr. Bernard Lown on PRI's "The World" aired on Tuesday, December 9, on WGBH 89.5FM.
"The World" is a co-production of WGBH/Boston, PRI, and the BBC World Service. You can listen to the interview and the web extra online.
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