[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 117 (Tuesday, September 8, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S9972]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                NATIONAL JEWISH MEDICAL RESEARCH CENTER

  Mr. CAMPBELL. Mr. President, today I pay tribute to the National 
Jewish Medical Research Center in Denver, Colorado, which has recently 
been recognized by U.S. News and World Report as the top-ranked 
Respiratory Hospital in the United States. The work of National Jewish 
is close to my heart because I watched my mother struggle with 
tuberculosis throughout her lifetime. She lived and worked in a 
sanatorium for many years, making it difficult for her to care for my 
sister and me.
  In the late 1800s, Denver's elevation and abundant sunshine made it a 
mecca for people with tuberculosis. National Jewish treated only 
patients with tuberculosis until the 1950s, when antibiotics brought 
the disease under control. The hospital then turned its attention to 
asthma. Allergies which can develop into asthma, bronchitis, and sinus 
infections, now attack some 40 million people, double the number 25 
years ago. Twice as many people, 15 million, have asthma now, too, at a 
cost of $6.2 billion a year in missed work and school, in medications 
and hospital visits.
  Today, National Jewish is a world-class institution, a global leader 
in the research and treatment of lung, allergic and immune diseases. It 
is ranked as the number one private institution for immunology research 
in the world and as one of the top 10 independent research institutions 
of any kind in the world. Tremendous breakthroughs in understanding 
respiratory disease are taking place in Denver.
  Not only is National Jewish recognized world-wide for its research, 
it is also known for its considerable philanthropic activities in the 
health care community. Until the mid-1960s, patient care was funded 
entirely through philanthropy. Today, the hospital continues to provide 
a significant amount of free and subsidized care to those unable to 
afford total treatment costs.
  Founded in 1899 as a nonsectarian, non-profit hospital for 
tuberculosis patients, National Jewish enters the 21st century as the 
only facility in the world dedicated exclusively to pulmonary 
disorders. It is one of Colorado's treasures. Next year it will 
celebrate its 100th year of giving health and hope to people suffering 
from pulmonary diseases.
  Today, I want to commend National Jewish on the rich history of 
patient care and research given to Colorado, to congratulate them on 
being recognized as the top-ranked Respiratory Hospital in America, and 
to wish them well as they celebrate the 100th anniversary in 1999.

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