[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 47 (Wednesday, March 24, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E553]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     COMMENDING DR. W.C. WIEDERHOLT

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ROBERT A. UNDERWOOD

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 24, 1999

  Mr. UNDERWOOD Mr. Speaker, For more than a century the Chamorros on 
Guam have suffered by Lytico and Bodig. There is hardly a family on the 
island who has not had a relative die of one of these terrible 
diseases. During the past 40 years, many researchers have come to Guam 
to investigate the diseases, and to try and find the cause and 
subsequent treatment for Lytico and Bodig. One of these researchers is 
Dr. W.C. Wiederholt who first came to Guam in 1994 at the invitation of 
Dr. Kurland of the Mayo Clinic. His mission was to complete the 
mandated functions of the University of Guam/Mayo Grant and to evaluate 
the possibilities of writing a five-year grant. The University of Guam/
Mayo grant activities had gone awry for many reasons, and it appeared 
as if the research on Lytico and Bodig would once again come to a halt. 
However, Dr. Widerholt pressed on undaunted despite the obstacles. He 
took a sabbatical leave from the University of California at San Diego 
and remained in Guam for almost six months. He brought the project back 
on track and provided much needed neurology services. Dr. Wiederholt 
also conducted some pilot studies to gather data for the new grant 
application.
  Under Dr. Wiederholt's leadership, and with the collaborative efforts 
of a group of world-renowned neuroscientists, the University of Guam 
and the University of California at San Diego were awarded a $10.8 
million grant in 1996 to study ``Age-related neurodegenerative disease 
in Micronesia.'' The project employs nine local people, and provides 
practical sites for social work and nursing students, as well as 
internship opportunities for Guam medical students. In addition, the 
project provides support to students at all grade levels preparing 
theses or dissertations about Guam's neurodegenerative diseases, aging 
concerns and caregiver issues.
  Under Dr. Wiederholt's guidance, the project has moved into a new 
dimension and is exploring, among many potential causes, how familial 
predisposition or susceptibility might interact with environmental 
factors in causing the disease. It is hoped that through Dr. 
Wiederholt's research, more effective methods for detection, treatment 
and ultimately the prevention of this disease will be developed for the 
benefit of the people of Guam.
  Guam has become Dr. Wiederholt's home for at least seven months out 
of the year. Not only does he make initial diagnoses of neurological 
diseases and furnishes follow-up services to all patients, he also 
provides courtesy consultations to Guam's community physicians and the 
Veterans Affairs Center.
  Dr. Wiederholt's dedication to the people of Guam is highly admirable 
and deserves our sincerest gratitude. On behalf of the people of Guam, 
I say to you Dr. Weiderholt, Si Yu'os Ma'ase.

                          ____________________