The publication is reproduced in full below:
IN RECOGNITION OF DR. REX ARCHER ON HIS RETIREMENT AS KANSAS CITY'S
HEALTH DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR
______
HON. EMANUEL CLEAVER
of missouri
in the house of representatives
Friday, July 30, 2021
Mr. CLEAVER. Madam Speaker, it is with a deep sense of gratitude that I rise today to celebrate Dr. Rex Archer, an individual that went above and beyond to serve our community. His work in public health began more than two decades ago, where he has served as the Kansas City Health Director. His commitment and contributions to better the region are unparalleled, shaping Kansas City's Health Department into a department that we can all be proud to have in Missouri's Fifth District.
Before serving Kansas Citians, Mr. Archer studied at the University of Kansas where he completed his medical degree then his master's in public health at the University of Michigan. His experience allowed him to hold local and state health positions in Maryland and was even a primary advocate for protection policies for nonsmokers from tobacco smoke. The skills and knowledge he earned, prepared and made him a more than qualified to lead the Health Department in Kansas City.
Under Dr. Archer's guidance, Kansas City, Missouri's Health Department became one of the first in the country to be nationally accredited, demonstrating its continuous efforts to fulfill its mission of providing quality health care options and resources to Kansas Citians. The department was recognized by the National Association of County and City Health Officials and received the ``Local Health Department of the Year Award in Health Equity,'' in addition to the
``Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Culture of Health'' prize.
Dr. Archer dedication to improve public health can be traced to the agency's emergency response to HIV in response to the havoc it had on our local minority communities, the swine flu epidemic, and most recently, his leadership throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. He led the fight in combating the spread of COVID-19 with compassion and expertise, even delaying his retirement for eight months to continue to support the city and protect its members through an unprecedented tragedy. A champion of inclusivity and equity, Dr. Archer continuously advocated to bring more resources to the region when Kansas City, Missouri, was not receiving sufficient COVID-19 vaccines. Once received, he pushed vaccination efforts to reach our underserved communities. His leadership and dedication serve as an example of how to unify different sectors of the community such as elected officials, experts, and media for the greater good of the people we serve.
Looking beyond his extraordinary work in emergency health crises, Dr. Archer and his team have prioritized delivering equitable healthcare services and resources on, expanding the range of services at the Kansas City Health Department. Along those new initiatives are the Healthy Homes program that provides sanitary homes for all, efforts to ensure families have access to healthy and quality meals and establishing mental health services to help combat violent crime.
As a result of his successful career in Kansas City, he has held the position of president for the National Association of County and City Health Officials and served on the Public Health Accreditation Board
(PHAB) of Directors, amongst other national public health committees. While he may often be behind the scenes, his work in public health can be felt and seen widely throughout many lives within our community.
Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in recognizing Dr. Rex Archer for the tremendous accomplishments throughout his career and his tireless efforts in providing Kansas City with equitable healthcare for all. His contributions to our community have made him a valued member of Missouri's Fifth District and I speak on the behalf of the entire district when I say thank you Dr. Rex Archer. While he embraces this next chapter, I wish Dr. Archer many rewarding years in retirement and honor his dedication to public health.
____________________
SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 134
The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
House Representatives' salaries are historically higher than the median US income.
Alerts Sign-up