This week the United States Congress voted to designate 2011 as “World Veterinary Year to bring attention to and show appreciation for the veterinary profession on its 250th anniversary.”
The Congressional citation emphasizes the roles that veterinarians play in promoting healthy pets and healthy families, as well as biomedical research, sports, food safety, conservation biology and the Armed Forces.
It states in part:
Whereas 2011 will mark the 250th anniversary of the founding of the veterinary medical profession;
The House of Representatives supports the goals and ideals of World Veterinary Year by bringing attention to and expressing appreciation for the contributions that the veterinary profession has made and continues to make to animal health, public health, animal welfare, and food safety.
The world’s first veterinary school was established in Lyon, France, in 1761. Most veterinarians can trace their professional roots back to this veterinary college established 250 years ago or to the schools that its graduates and their successors later founded.
Celebrations will begin in Versaille, France, on January 24th, and will continue through various events during the year. http://www.vet2011.org/
The AVMA will honor World Veterinary Year at its annual meeting in St, Louis in August. More celebrations will follow when the AVMA commemorates its 150th anniversary in 2013.
[The full resolution is at www.gpoaccess.gov/crecord/index.html Congressional Record, House of Representatives, Supporting Designation of World Veterinary Year, Volume 156, H. Res. 1531, Page H8044, December 7, 2010. Vote information is at http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=hr111-1531&tab=votes]