October 15, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 162 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Pages S5786-S5787]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

                                 ______
                                 

                   TRIBUTE TO DR. MICHAEL CHERINGTON

 Mr. GARDNER. Madam President, today I wish to honor and 
celebrate Dr. Michael Cherington of Castle Rock, CO. This fall, Dr. 
Cherington is reaching the age of 85. He has lived a full life and 
helped many others to do the same.
  Born in Pittsburgh, PA in 1934, Michael, who often went by the 
nickname ``Mickey'' showed initial greatness at age 10 when his father 
arranged for him to play against the American chess champion, Arnold 
Denker. Arnold defeated all the adult opponents in the room. Mickey's 
game ended in a draw.

[[Page S5787]]

  After graduating from the University of Pittsburgh, Mickey attended 
Pitt Medical School, then moved to Colorado Springs for a year of 
residency. During that year, he received an important letter 
``Greetings, You're being drafted into the U.S. Army.'' His extended 
stay in Colorado with the Army would become the hook that kept him 
happily in the State to this day, some 60 years later.
  Dr. Cherington set up a private practice in neurology in Denver and 
was made professor at the University of Colorado Medical School. He 
served the community very well in both of these capacities, helping 
thousands of patients in Colorado. As an author of dozens of articles 
and other research, he became known internationally and traveled around 
the world to meet with neurologists as new medical discoveries were 
allowing people to be cured of ailments that were once a fatal 
diagnosis.
  His time in Colorado led him into an unusual field of neurology, 
studying survivors of lightning strikes. His work in this field led to 
a new nickname, ``Lightning Doctor'', and he would go on to publish 
many articles about lightning injuries and how to avoid them. His work 
led to the creation of the Lightning Data Center, which brought 
together experts across several areas of expertise and disciplines. 
Soon the Lightning Doctor was on local TV and beyond, including ABC's 
``20/20,'' ``National Geographic,'' and even ``Unsolved Mysteries.'' 
Through Mickey's work, he was able to help people avoid the doctor's 
office, or worse, by educating them about lightning storms and 
lightning safety.
  Today, Dr. Cherington lives happily with his wife Nancy Cherington 
and spends time with family and close friends. That chess player from 
Pittsburgh can still be seen around a chess board--most likely on his 
iPad--or spending time with his children or their nine grandchildren.
  Thank you, Dr. Cherington, for your contributions in your work and 
for those around you.

                          ____________________