[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 47 (Tuesday, April 26, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: April 26, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
          JEAN MAYER HUMAN NUTRITION RESEARCH CENTER ON AGING

  Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 4204) to designate the Federal building located at 711 
Washington Street in Boston, MA, as the ``Jean Mayer Human Nutrition 
Research Center on Aging''.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 4204

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. DESIGNATION.

       The Federal building located at 711 Washington Street in 
     Boston, Massachusetts, shall be known and designated as the 
     ``Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging''.

     SEC. 2. REFERENCES.

       Any reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper, 
     or other record of the United States to the Federal building 
     referred to in section 1 shall be deemed to be a reference to 
     the ``Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
York [Mr. Nadler] will be recognized for 20 minutes, and the gentleman 
from Tennessee [Mr. Duncan] will be recognized for 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York [Mr. Nadler].
  Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, Dr. Jean Mayer was a truly remarkable man. He was an 
advisor to three Presidents, a decorated World War II hero, a renowned 
researcher, an author, a lecturer, and an educator. He was instrumental 
in establishing the National Food Stamp Program, the School Lunch 
Program, and other national nutritional programs. His research on the 
effects of nutrition and aging has made significant contributions to 
the health of our senior citizens. He pioneered research into the 
effects of poverty on malnutrition and aging. Dr. Mayer also studied 
the effects of smoking and high-cholesterol foods on coronary heart 
disease. For his devotion and dedication to public health issues, and 
for his outstanding contributions to scientific research, it is fitting 
and proper that the Federal building at 711 Washington Street, Boston, 
MA, be designated the ``Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center on 
Aging.'' Mr. Speaker, I wish to thank Chairman Joe Moakley for 
sponsoring H.R. 4204 and for his diligent efforts in support of this 
bill. In closing, I ask my colleagues to support H.R. 4202, and I urge 
adoption of this bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4204, which designates the 
Federal building at 711 Washington Street in Boston, MA, as the Jean 
Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center on the Aging.
  Dr. Mayer gained international recognition for his search for 
solutions to the nutritional problems of the poor and the elderly. 
Presidents Nixon, Ford, and Carter sought his advice on numerous issues 
including world hunger, world peace, and civil rights.
  Dr. Mayer holds the unique distinction of being named to both the 
American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the French Academy of 
Sciences. During World War II, Dr. Mayer's native country of France 
awarded him the French equivalent of the Congressional Medal of Honor.
  Dr. Mayer is a graduate of Yale University and a former member of the 
faculty at Harvard University. He has dedicated his life to serving his 
fellow citizens of the world by assuming leadership positions at the 
United Nations, the World Health Organization, and UNICEF.
  The Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging in Boston was a dream of 
Dr. Mayer's which he made a reality. I am pleased to join the sponsor 
of this legislation, Congressman Moakley, in urging our fellow Members 
to name this center after one of our Nation's most respected 
nutritionists, Dr. Jean Mayer.
  Mr. MOAKLEY. Mr. Speaker, let me first thank my colleague and friend, 
Mr. Traficant, the gentleman from Ohio, the Chair of the Subcommittee 
on Public Buildings and Grounds of the Committee on Public Works and 
Transportation, for managing, supporting, and making possible this 
legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my friends on the Republican side, 
especially the gentleman from Tennessee [Mr. Duncan], the ranking 
member of the subcommittee, for helping to move this legislation 
forward. I would also like to thank Dr. John DiBiaggio for assisting 
with this legislation. Dr. DiBiaggio succeeded Dr. Jean Mayer as 
president of Tufts University and is doing truly exemplary work in 
continuing the legacy of both Jean Mayer and Tufts University.
  Mr. Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to appear before the House 
today to support H.R. 4204 to name the Human Nutrition Research Center 
on Aging in Boston, MA, for Dr. Jean Mayer.
  First let me explain the mission of the Human Nutrition Research 
Center on Aging. I think my colleagues will clearly see why it is 
fitting to name the Center for Dr. Jean Mayer. The Center is a free-
standing Federal facility located at 711 Washington Street in Boston, 
MA, my congressional district. The facility was established by the 
Congress through the Food and Agriculture Act of 1977 and houses 250 
research and support staff that work with a number of Federal agencies 
on issues affecting the nutritional requirements and the role nutrition 
plays in the aging process of senior citizens.
  Mr. Speaker, unfortunately, the Center's mission becomes more 
relevant to all of us with each passing day. The Center today serves as 
a national model of Federal Government/university/State and city 
collaboration benefiting not only the American people, but people 
around the world. The accomplishments at the Center are unparalleled 
and its establishment has even helped to spur the economic 
redevelopment of a section Boston unfortunately known as the Combat 
Zone.
  Mr. Speaker, the Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging was a dream 
made possible by Dr. Jean Mayer's strong mind and vision and, 
oftentimes, persistence. Mr. Speaker, as one who worked closely with 
Jean Mayer through the years, I can honestly say it was a mission to 
better all mankind. Dr. Jean Mayer was one of the world's leaders in 
the field of nutrition who recognized early in his career the 
relationship between nutrition and the productive lives of senior 
citizens. Recent studies have confirmed this relationship, as well as 
the relationship of nutrition to the health of senior citizens. This 
research is extremely timely given the great debate over health care 
and health care costs before the Congress today. The improved health of 
senior citizens can and will literally save our country millions of 
dollars through reduced health care costs.

  In addition to these efforts, Dr. Jean Mayer was truly a national 
resource. He was born in Paris, France, in 1920 and did his 
undergraduate studies at the University of Paris. During World War II, 
he served in the French Army, the Free French Forces and participated 
in numerous campaigns including North Africa, Italy, and the Battle of 
the Bulge and received France's highest decoration for bravery, the 
Croix de Guerre, the equivalent of our Congressional Medal of Honor. 
His daring exploits during the war are truly legend, both in France and 
the United States.
  After completing his graduate studies at Yale University, Dr. Mayer 
served on the faculty of Harvard University until his appointment as 
the 10th President of Tufts University in 1976, followed by his 
appointment as chancellor of Tufts University in 1992. Dr. Jean Mayer's 
service to mankind is long and varied as represented by his leadership 
within the United Nations, the World Health Organization, UNICEF, and 
technical missions on various continents, including his mission to war-
torn Biafra in the late 1960's. As chairman of the U.S. National 
Council on Hunger and Malnutrition, Dr. Jean Mayer played a major role 
in calling our Nation's attention to the nutritional problems of the 
poor in America. Prior to his unfortunate death in 1993, he continued 
to serve as an advisor to numerous Presidents on issues relating to 
world hunger, world peace, and the protection of civil rights. For 
these efforts, Dr. Mayer was elected to both the American Academy of 
Arts and Sciences and the French Academy of Sciences--one of the few 
Americans to be honored with election to both Academies.
  Mr. Speaker, Members of the House, it is for these outstanding 
contributions to not only the American people, but people around the 
world that I introduced H.R. 4204 to name the Human Nutrition Research 
Center on Aging for Dr. Jean Mayer. Naming the Center for Human 
Nutrition Research on Aging for Dr. Jean Mayer is a great tribute to 
this wonderful man, and it can serve as a symbol to encourage others to 
follow in his footsteps of service to our country and other countries 
around the world.
  Again, Mr. Speaker, Members of the House, thank you for your 
consideration of this legislation which honors a great man.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of the motion and yield back the balance 
of my time.
  Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I, too, yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from New York [Mr. Nadler] that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 4204.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended, and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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