Bird receives national honor

SANDPOINT — Dr. Forrest Bird is becoming a familiar face inside the White House.

For the second time in eleven months, the internationally revered aviation and respiratory specialist visited the nation’s capital Wednesday to receive accolades from the President of the United States.

Bird’s most recent trip to Washington was to accept the prestigious National Medal of Technology and Innovation. According the presidential citation, Bird was chosen for his pioneering inventions in cardiopulmonary medicine and intrapulmonary percussive ventilation technologies, which “have saved the lives of millions of patients.”

Those inventions — notably the “Bird” and “Baby Bird” ventilators — have earned Bird a host of honors and awards, including a seat in the National Inventors Hall of Fame.

Speaking to a crowd of distinguished scientists and lawmakers in the East Room of the White House, President Barack Obama lauded Bird and his fellow honorees for their scientific breakthroughs.

“This nation owes all of you an enormous debt of gratitude far greater than any medal can bestow,” he said.  “And we recognize your contributions, but we also celebrate the incredible contributions of the scientific endeavor itself.”

Idaho Sen. Jim Risch, who attended the ceremony, released a statement Wednesday praising Bird’s work.

“We are honored to have Dr. Bird as a resident of Idaho and congratulate him on this outstanding honor,” he said. “His inventions and innovations have brought the gift of life to countless people throughout the world. We are also proud to have his lifesaving devices manufactured in North Idaho.”

Bird, who just last year was awarded the Presidential Citizens Medal during a White House ceremony, said he was impressed by Obama’s oratory skills and affability.

“He presents himself very, very nicely,” Bird said. “He was very friendly to all of us, and I think we all liked him very much. He’s very personable.”

Reflecting on his long and fruitful career, Bird said teamwork, determination and patience are necessary components for a successful inventor.

“Sometimes (results) come easier, sometimes harder, and sometimes you just say, ‘My God, I want to walk away,’” he said. “But the next morning you wake up and it’s a new day and you face the problem from a different point of view.”

Bird and his wife, Dr. Pamela Bird, are in  the middle of a nine-city lecture tour and will be away from Idaho until late this month. Despite being thousands of miles away, Bird said the people of Sandpoint are never far from his heart.

“Sandpoint’s been very, very good to me over the years,” he said. “I’ve got lots of wonderful friends there and it’s the greatest place in the world to live.”