[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 15 (Tuesday, February 22, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: February 22, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                      DEATH OF MARY WOODARD LASKER

  Mr. HOLLINGS. Mr. President, Members of the Senate, today is a day 
for remembering and paying tribute to a great lady, an American hero 
and a legend bigger than life. A woman who affected the lives of 
millions as few have in their lifetime--Mary Woodard Lasker.
  Mary Lasker died yesterday, peacefully in her sleep, after a lifetime 
of tireless dedication to a crusade against disease and disability. 
Among her many, many causes, Mrs. Lasker was the cochairman of the 
board of the Hollings Cancer Center, dedicated to fighting the disease 
she inspired researchers and legislators to conquer.
  For over 50 years, Mary Lasker passionately worked as an advocate for 
those less fortunate. In fact, Mary Lasker is an example of a person 
who gave her entire life to the cause of her fellow man.
  Mary believed that it was the duty of every person to make life 
better for others. Her own was a testimony to that conviction. Her 
legacy is a living vibrant message that one person can make a 
difference. A difference which will not be judged by wealth, but by the 
health of millions of Americans who owe their lives to a woman they 
never met--Mary Lasker.
  It has been said that ``if God created mothers for children, He 
created Mary Lasker for medical research.'' Her singular passion and 
sense of urgency to enhance all programs at the National Institutes of 
Health has ensured the gift of improved health through a strong vibrant 
and unparalleled medical research program.
  Mary Lasker began her efforts at a time when there was no National 
Institutes of Health. Today, there is not one research program funded 
by NIH that does not bear Mary Lasker's mark as an advocate. From the 
establishment of research facilities such as the Cancer Institute, the 
Heart Institute, and the Eye Institute, to the funding over decades 
which realized phenomenal research progress, Mary Lasker was a 
formidable force in realizing the dream of a healthy America.
  On May 24, 1984, Public Law 98-297 was enacted, designating the 
establishment of the Mary Woodard Lasker Center for Health Education 
and Research in recognition of her personal pledge to strengthen the 
commitment of this Nation to medical research.
  At the time of the dedication Mary stated:

       ``. . . the fruits of our labors throughout the years will: 
     Alleviate pain where there is suffering; Provide the freedom 
     to live in health so that we can fulfill our promise and 
     quest in the pursuit of happiness; and Provide hope where 
     none existed before.''

  The fruits of Mary Lasker's efforts and commitment to improve 
humankind are all around us; they will live on in each of our families; 
and they will live on in our children's children; they will be 
timeless. A grateful Nation owes much thanks to Mary Lasker.

                          ____________________