[Congressional Bills 105th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Con. Res. 127 Introduced in Senate (IS)]







105th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. CON. RES. 127

 Recognizing the 50th anniversary of the National Institute of Allergy 
            and Infectious Diseases, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

              October 9 (legislative day, October 2), 1998

     Mr. Durbin (for himself and Mr. Mack) submitted the following 
   concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the 
                               Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
 Recognizing the 50th anniversary of the National Institute of Allergy 
            and Infectious Diseases, and for other purposes.

Whereas November 1998 marks the 50th anniversary of the creation of the National 
        Microbiological Institute (referred to in this resolution as the 
        ``Institute'') under authority of section 202 of the Public Health 
        Service Act;
Whereas the Institute was formed through the combination of the Rocky Mountain 
        Laboratory, the Biologics Control Laboratory, the Division of Infectious 
        Diseases and the Division of Tropical Diseases of the National 
        Institutes of Health;
Whereas in 1955 Congress renamed the Institute as the National Institute of 
        Allergy and Infectious Diseases (referred to in this resolution as 
        ``NIAID'') under the authority of the Omnibus Medical Research Act, 
        recognizing the need for a coordinated scientific research program on 
        infectious, allergic and immunologic diseases;
Whereas the research portfolio of NIAID encompasses infectious diseases such as 
        acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), tuberculosis, sexually 
        transmitted diseases, malaria and influenza, immunologic diseases 
        including asthma, allergies and primary immune deficiency diseases, 
        transplantation immunology, and development of new diagnostic therapies 
        and vaccines forinfectious diseases;
Whereas research supported by NIAID continues to yield promising advances 
        including the development of vaccines against the human immunodeficiency 
        virus (HIV), and in the identification of effective treatment regimens 
        for childhood asthma;
Whereas the continued threat of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases, 
        like tuberculosis, poses a risk to the health worldwide, NIAID-supported 
        research provides the necessary tools to develop diagnostic tests, new 
        and improved treatments, vaccines and other means to combat the 
        microbial threats of today and those of the future;
Whereas NIAID-supported research is making significant progress in understanding 
        the immune system and its disorders including the mechanisms of immune 
        tolerance, which refers to the ability of the immune system to 
        distinguish between cells and tissues that are ``self'' and those that 
        are foreign or ``non-self,'' such as a pathogen, tumor, ortransplanted 
        organ;
Whereas such advances are vital to the field of organ transplantation and may 
        prove useful in treating autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid 
        arthritis and multiple sclerosis; and
Whereas Congress intends that NIAID continue its innovative leadership in 
        delineating pathogenesis, improving diagnosis and treatment, and 
        developing vaccines to prevent infectious and immunologic diseases, 
        thereby contributing to the overall health of the American public and 
        the people of the world: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), 
That Congress--
            (1) recognizes the historic significance of the 50th 
        anniversary of the establishment of the National 
        Microbiological Institute and the creation of the Institute 
        that became the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious 
        Diseases;
            (2) recognizes the research scientists, administrative 
        staff, professional societies, and patient groups for their 
        active participation in support of the research programs and 
        goals of the NIAID; and
            (3) reaffirms its support of the National Institute of 
        Allergy and Infectious Diseases and its commitment to advance 
        knowledge and improve health.
                                 <all>