[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 86 (Thursday, June 30, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: June 30, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                          BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH

                                 ______


                             HON. ROD GRAMS

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 30, 1994

  Mr. GRAMS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my support for 
encouraging greater private investment in biomedical research.
  While the Federal Government plays an important role in funding much 
of the biomedical research under way today, we must not lose sight of 
the need to encourage the role which the private sector plays in 
biomedical research. Over the next few years, private investment will 
become increasingly more important as public dollars become more 
scarce.
  Given the growing trend to target Federal research dollars to meet 
the political demands of constituencies, Congress and the citizens of 
this country should all appreciate the Life & Health Insurance Medical 
Research Fund, which supports basic biomedical research.
  I am proud to stand here today to recognize and congratulate four 
outstanding groups in my home State of Minnesota who have generously 
donated to this fund.
  The Lutheran Brotherhood of Minneapolis has been a major supporter of 
the Life & Health Insurance Medical Research Fund by committing 
significant financial assistance through the year 2003. This pledge 
supports scholarships for candidates studying for the combined M.D.-
Ph.D. degree.
  Northwestern National Life, also from Minneapolis, has consistently 
contributed to the fund throughout the last 10 years.
  Minnesota Mutual of St. Paul has also provided financial support for 
competitive grants and scholarships in basic biomedical research.
  And finally, Allianz Life Insurance Co. of North America in 
Minneapolis, a participant in the fund since 1984, has contributed 
funds which have increased the number of competitive grants and 
scholarships available for basic biomedical research.
  The support that these companies are giving to outstanding biomedical 
researchers is clear and convincing evidence that the private sector 
can contribute much to the progress of advances in medical knowledge.
  Biomedical research has proven to be one of our Nation's greatest 
investments--it saves lives.
  Let us work, to ensure that more companies and individuals recognize 
the efforts of funds like the Life & Health Insurance Medical Research 
Fund and encourage them to join in the cause to support important 
biomedical research.

                          ____________________