[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 108 (Tuesday, August 4, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1541]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


             ``VI NGUYEN--THE FUTURE OF MEDICAL RESEARCH''

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BOB FILNER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, August 4, 1998

  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker and Colleagues, I rise before you today to 
praise Vi Nguyen from my district who recently completed the National 
Institutes of Health (NIH) Undergraduate Scholarship Program for 
Individuals from Disadvantaged Backgrounds (UGSP). The NIH 10-week 
summer research program is open only to scholars who have either a 3.5 
grade point average or are in the top 5 percent of their class. To be 
eligible, candidates must also be committed to pursuing a career in 
biomedical research. The UGSP was set up for students who might not 
traditionally have research training opportunities. It was designed to 
improve access to undergraduate education that leads to careers in 
biomedical research, and to nurture scholarship recipients' interest in 
the NIH for their research training after graduation.
  Vi is only one of 24 scholars selected in a nationwide competition 
for this prestigious program, and her journey to NIH this summer has 
been a long one. Her parents immigrated from Vietnam to San Diego, 
where she graduated from Bonita Vista High School. Her interest in 
science lead her to Harvard University where she is studying the 
history and philosophy of science--much like I did years ago. She plans 
to apply to medical school and various international fellowships toward 
her eventual goal of a research and clinical career in pediatrics.
  With scholars like Vi Nguyen as the future of our biomedical research 
community, I am confident that the children of tomorrow will have a 
much better chance at healthier lives.

                          ____________________