[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 141 (Friday, October 9, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S12183-S12184]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 127--RECOGNIZING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF 
  THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES, AND FOR 
                             OTHER PURPOSES

  Mr. DURBIN (for himself and Mr. Mack) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary:

                            S. Con. Res. 127

       Whereas November 1998 marks the 50th anniversary of the 
     creation of the National Microbiological Institute (referred 
     to in this resolution as the ``Institute'') under authority 
     of section 202 of the Public Health Service Act;
       Whereas the Institute was formed through the combination of 
     the Rocky Mountain Laboratory, the Biologics Control 
     Laboratory, the Division of Infectious Diseases and the 
     Division of Tropical Diseases of the National Institutes of 
     Health;
       Whereas in 1955 Congress renamed the Institute as the 
     National Instituteof Allergy and Infectious Diseases 
     (referred to in this resolution as ``NIAID'') under the 
     authority of the Omnibus Medical Research Act, recognizing 
     the need for a coordinated scientific research program on 
     infectious, allergic and immunologic diseases;
       Whereas the research portfolio of NIAID encompasses 
     infectious diseases such as acquired immunodeficiency 
     syndrome (AIDS), tuberculosis, sexually transmitted diseases, 
     malaria and influenza, immunologic diseases including asthma, 
     allergies and primary immune deficiency diseases, 
     transplantation immunology, and development of new diagnostic 
     therapies and vaccines forinfectious diseases;
       Whereas research supported by NIAID continues to yield 
     promising advances including the development of vaccines 
     against the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and in the 
     identification of effective treatment regimens for childhood 
     asthma;
       Whereas the continued threat of emerging and re-emerging 
     infectious diseases, like tuberculosis, poses a risk to the 
     health worldwide, NIAID-supported research provides the 
     necessary tools to develop diagnostic tests, new and improved 
     treatments, vaccines and other means to combat the microbial 
     threats of today and those of the future;
       Whereas NIAID-supported research is making significant 
     progress in understanding the immune system and its disorders 
     including the mechanisms of immune tolerance, which refers to 
     the ability of the immune system to distinguish between cells 
     and tissues that are ``self'' and those that are foreign or 
     ``non-self,'' such as a pathogen, tumor, ortransplanted 
     organ;
       Whereas such advances are vital to the field of organ 
     transplantation and may prove useful in treating autoimmune 
     diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and multiple 
     sclerosis;
       Whereas Congress intends that NIAID continue its innovative 
     leadership in delineating pathogenesis, improving diagnosis 
     and treatment, and developing vaccines to prevent infectious 
     and immunologic diseases, thereby contributing to the overall 
     health of the American public and the people of the world: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), that Congress--
       (1) recognizes the historic significance of the 50th 
     anniversary of theestablishment of the National 
     Microbiological Institute and the creation ofthe Institute 
     that became the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious 
     Diseases;

[[Page S12184]]

       (2) recognizes the research scientists, administrative 
     staff, professional societies, and patient groups for their 
     active participation in support of the research programs and 
     goals of the NIAID; and
       (3) reaffirms its support of the National Institute of 
     Allergy and Infectious Diseases and its commitment to advance 
     knowledge and improve health.

  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I am pleased to submit a Senate 
Concurrent Resolution recognizing and honoring the 50th anniversary of 
the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. An identical 
resolution is being introduced in the House by my distinguished 
colleague, Representative Northup.
  As you know I am an ardent supporter of biomedical research and the 
National Institutes of Health. In this century, great strides have been 
made in the control of such killer infectious diseases such as polio, 
rubella, measles, cholera, typhoid fever, and diphtheria. Small pox has 
been eradicated. We continue to benefit from the development of new 
drugs and vaccines that contribute enormously to the betterment of the 
public health.
  At the forefront of these advances stands the National Institute of 
Allergy and Infectious Diseases. NIAID began as the National 
Microbiological Institute, formed through the union of the Rocky 
Mountain Laboratory, the Biologics Control Laboratory, the Division of 
Infectious Diseases, and the Division of Tropical Disease of the NIH. 
In 1955, Congress renamed the Institute as the National Institute of 
Allergy and Infectious Diseases, recognizing the need for a coordinated 
scientific research program on infectious, allergic, and immunologic 
diseases.
  Research supported by the Institute has led to important advances, 
including: the development of vaccines against infectious diseases such 
as meningitis, hepatitis A, whopping cough and the rotavirus diarrhea; 
new treatments to fight against the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV); 
and novel interventions to treat childhood asthma.
  However, despite significant progress, infectious diseases remain the 
world's leading cause of death, and the third leading cause of death in 
the United States, and immune-mediated diseases continue to exact a 
considerable toll. NIAID-supported research will continue to provide 
the necessary tools to develop diagnostic tests, new and improved 
treatments, vaccines, and other means to combat the microbial threats 
of today and those of the future, and to address diseases of the immune 
system.
  I am submitting this resolution today to demonstrate the support of 
the United States Senate for the NIAID, the NIH and all of the 
dedicated professionals who have devoted their lives to improving the 
quality of the nation's health.

                          ____________________