SR708: SR708 Kluender, Dr. Randy; recognize

26 LC 129 0932 Senate Resolution 708 By: Senators Jones of the 10th, Wicks of the 34th, Orrock of the 36th, Jackson of the 41st, Anderson of the 43rd and others A RESOLUTION Recognizing and commending Dr. Randy Kluender; and for other purposes.1 WHEREAS, Dr. Randy Kluender serves as the President and Board of Trustees Member of2 the Georgia School of Orthodontics; and 3 WHEREAS, Dr. Kluender began his distinguished career in 1979 in a private pediatric dental4 practice and later transitioned into dental education in 1985; and5 WHEREAS, he brings a wealth of expertise to the Georgia School of Orthodontics from his6 extensive experience as a clinician, educator, and administrator; his service at the University7 of Colorado School of Dental Medicine; and his dedicated leader ship with the American8 College of Dentists and Omicron Kappa Upsilon; and9 WHEREAS, during his tenure as a faculty member and administrato r at the University of10 Colorado, he secured over $2.5 million in grant funding, with t he majority of those funds11 starting new programs to help people in need; and12 WHEREAS, Dr. Kluender passionately supports his community, work ing on legislative13 issues impacting oral health, informing legislators about the relationship between oral health14 S. R. 708 - 1 - 26 LC 129 0932 and general health, diversity in the healthcare workforce, student indebtedness and financial15 aid, and funding for dental schools in the United States; and16 WHEREAS, these issues also include advocating for additional funding for oral health care17 for the underserved, the continuation of Graduate Medical Educa tion (GME) funding for18 dental schools, and loan repayment strategies for students, dentists, and new dental faculty;19 and20 WHEREAS, he also advocates for increasing funding to the National Institute of Health and21 the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, whi ch provides significant22 financial support for research grants to health science centers and dental schools in the23 United States; and24 WHEREAS, Dr. Kluender's dedication, expertise, and leadership w as recognized by the25 American Dental Education Association's Leadership Institute when he was selected for its26 Harry Bruce Legislative Fellowship in Washington, D.C; and27 WHEREAS, it is abundantly fitting and proper that the achieveme nts of this outstanding28 educator, leader, advocate, and clinician be appropriately honored.29 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body30 recognize and commend Dr. Randy Kluender and extend their since re best wishes for his31 continued health, happiness, and success.32 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed33 to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for di stribution to Dr. Randy34 Kluender.35 S. R. 708 - 2 -