John Sarbanes: “H.J. Res. 52 recognizes the Dr. Samuel D. Harris National Museum of Dentistry in Baltimore as the official national…”

“H.J. Res. 52 recognizes the Dr. Samuel D. Harris National Museum of Dentistry in Baltimore as the official national museum of dentistry in the United States. It passed the House unanimously and is a companion measure to legislation I introduced in the Senate, together with Senator Mikulski, S.J. Res. 12. The principal purpose of this legislation is to help educate the public about the critical importance of oral health to the overall health of all Americans. Three years ago, U.S. Surgeon General David Satcher issued a comprehensive report entitled ``Oral Health in America,'' which identified the problem of dental and oral disease as a ``silent epidemic'' facing the country. The report called for the development of a National Oral Health Plan, and recommended that actions be taken to ``change perceptions regarding oral health and disease so that oral health becomes an accepted component of general health.'' By designating an official national museum and learning center dedicated to dentistry, this legislation takes an important step toward the achievement of this goal. The Dr. Samuel D. Harris National Museum of Dentistry is the largest and most comprehensive museum of dentistry in this country, and, indeed, the world.”