[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 98 (Tuesday, July 21, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1370]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO DR. GENO SACCOMANNO

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SCOTT McINNIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 21, 1998

  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take a moment to recognize 
an individual, who for the past 50 years, has donated his life to the 
ongoing fight against cancer. Dr. Geno Saccomanno, a cytologist from 
Grand Junction, CO, is a simple, dedicated man with a personal history 
that rivals most in accomplishment and commitment. Some of his most 
notable achievements both professionally and philanthropically, include 
his groundbreaking and world-renowned cancer research methods, his two 
popular cytology texts, his scholarship fund for underprivileged high 
school graduates, his St. Mary's Saccomanno Education Center, and the 
Catholic school and church that will be built on land he recently 
donated near his home. As you can see, Dr. Saccomanno is a man who 
works for the good of all people, in every area of his life.
  When Dr. Saccomanno arrived in Grand Junction as a pathologist in 
1948, he was the first to pay appropriate attention to the most 
pressing local cancer issue. As he had noticed in some of his doctoral 
studies at St. Louis University, Dr. Saccomanno saw correlations 
between cancer incidence and the coal mines working in Western Colorado 
and Eastern Utah. His analysis of this issue set the stage for a long 
life in lung cancer research and diagnosis.
  Considered today by colleagues and professionals worldwide as one of 
the world's foremost pioneers and prophets in lung cancer research, 
Saccomanno's research techniques are considered a standard in 
laboratories around the world. His first method of cell separation to 
detect mutation utilized his wife Ginny's blender and a few simple 
medical tools. Through the years, his techniques have grown and 
developed with the aid of technology so much that his research methods 
are widely praised and world renowned. In fact, the American Cancer 
Institute is currently attempting to duplicate his processes with a 
computer.
  Dr. Saccomanno has won several well-deserved awards and published a 
myriad of medical reports during his 50-year career, all that have led 
to a considerable reputation among a wide range of people. He is 
revered by everyone, from his colleagues at St. Mary's to VIP's at the 
Department of Energy to his friends at the National Cancer Institute.
  Today, the 82-year-old Dr. Saccomanno continues his work in the field 
he has grown to love. Each morning he makes the daily trek from his 
home to the lab where he continues to look at his vast collection of 
tissue samples, lung X-rays, and secretions searching for a clue that 
would someday lead to a cure for cancer. Dr. Saccomanno's obvious 
dedication to his life's work and the medical field is something that 
is admired by all.
  I would like to take a moment today to thank Dr. Saccomanno for both 
his efforts in finding a cure for cancer, as well as for all that he 
has done for his community. He is an excellent example of how important 
dedication and perseverance are in one's personal and professional 
life. He sets a standard that we should all strive to emulate. It is an 
honor for me to count Dr. Saccomanno as one of my constituents and to 
represent him in Congress.

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