[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 136 (Friday, September 27, 1996)]
[House]
[Pages H11573-H11574]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING DR. JACK LEIN

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Washington [Mr. McDermott] is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. McDERMOTT. Mr. Speaker, I rise to acknowledge the exceptional 
career of Dr. Jack Lein of the University of Washington. Dr. Lein will 
retire at the end of the year, concluding a record of service at the 
University that is without equal.
  Over the course of more than 30 years, he has worked to enhance the 
University's medical and health sciences education and administration.
  Although a professor of obstetrics and gynecology, Dr. Lein is 
perhaps best known for his singular success in bringing Federal 
attention, and Federal dollars to the University of Washington.
  In so doing, he has helped to shape and to strengthen the university 
so significantly that it is nearly impossible to imagine that 
institution without his forceful presence.
  A Spokane native, Jack Lein received a medical degree from the 
University of Washington in 1955. Nine years later, he joined the 
University as both a faculty member and an administrator, and began the 
work which would elevate the school's medical research and training 
programs to national renown.
  Working with Senators Warren Magnuson and Henry Jackson and House 
Speaker Tom Foley, Jack guided a steady flow of Federal monies to the 
UW.
  Thanks to his skill and tireless effort, the University of Washington 
today ranks first among all State universities in the country in 
receipt of Federal funds. Much of this support

[[Page H11574]]

came through research grants from the National Institutes of Health.
  Today, the University is widely known for its groundbreaking medical 
work in areas ranging from cancer research and treatment to fetal 
alcohol syndrome to burn treatment. None of these achievements would 
have been possible without Jack Lein.
  His service to the citizens of Washington State is immeasurable, 
covering a spectrum of contributions that defies description.
  Dr. Lein has served the university in a dizzying number of key 
positions. In addition to his faculty appointment, he was an assistant 
and then associate dean of the School of Medicine. He founded the 
School's Continuing Medical Education program and directed it for 
nearly 20 years.
  He also was instrumental in developing regional medical education 
systems that have become national models. Under his aegis, the 
University's Schools of Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, Pharmacy, Public 
Health, and Community Medicine have flourished, and today, University 
of Washington Health Sciences students enjoy an educational experience 
unique in the country.

  In addition to these achievements, Jack also served as both State 
legislative liaison for Health Sciences and coordinator of Federal 
relations for the entire University.
  My own relationship with Jack Lein spans many years and many 
endeavors. Among his multiple roles, Jack was a sort of concierge of 
the medical establishment.
  He knows nearly every politician in Washington State, and whenever a 
legislator or other officeholder needed a medical referral, Jack was 
the oracle. And since he put this role to productive use, as he did all 
others, he really knew how to get you when you were down.
  Jack will be long-remembered throughout the University community as a 
consummate tactician with an absolutely unrelenting sense of humor.
  No matter how dire the situation, and many have been, Jack finds the 
humor in it. He is a delightful companion and a wonderful friend. I 
wish him a long and rewarding retirement, and hope that he will slow 
down enough to savor it.
  The University of Washington is losing one its lions, but I know of 
no one who has contributed more to it than Jack Lein.

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