My Name is James Bell Jr. and I have been active both politically and as a practitioner in the Profession of First Assistance since 1980. Military trained I have witnessed the evolution, refinement,expantion and now, recognition of the Surgical assistant and applaud the State of Virginia in taking regulatory action. However it would be a huge mistake to omit, for any reason, a group of individuals such as those of the ABSA as they like all of us in this profession have worked so diligently to enhance their place in healthcare and patient safety by improving their education and abilities thru some sort of certification. Indeed many of us who hold mutiple credentials do so because we recognize that as assistants we ALL, together, make up the cadre of professionals who serve the public by our abilities to help the surgeon safely and effectively do his job. Please reconsider and correct this glaring oversight.