[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 139 (Thursday, October 14, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2099-E2100]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          RECOGNITION OF THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF PFIZER, INC.

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SAM GEJDENSON

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 14, 1999

  Mr. GEJDENSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 150th 
anniversary of Pfizer, Inc. and to congratulate the company on its 
pioneering innovations in the vital pharmaceutical industry. Pfizer's 
story is one of adventure, risk-taking, bold decision-making, and 
lifesaving. It's the chronicle of a small chemical firm from Brooklyn, 
NY, which, over the years, has become one of the world's premier 
pharmaceutical enterprises. Pfizer now employs close to 50,000 people 
in 85 countries, including 4,939 employees in Groton, CT. Pfizer's 
products are now available in 150 countries. These products treat a 
variety of diseases and conditions, such as hypertension, Alzheimer's, 
infections, diabetes, and arthritis.
  Cousins Charles Pfizer and Charles Erhart emigrated to New York from 
Ludwigsberg, Germany in the mid-1840s. In the U.S., the young cousins 
united their skills and opened shop as a chemical firm in 1849. Charles 
Pfizer & Co. filled a gap in the American chemical market by 
manufacturing specialty chemicals that had not been produced in 
America. The company made many important breakthroughs and developed 
popular and effective drug treatments in its first 75 years. Medicines 
developed by Pfizer helped to save many lives during the Civil War.
  However, it took bold decision-making to catapult Pfizer into its 
role as a trendsetter in the antibiotic era and a leader in the 
pharmaceutical industry. In 1928, when Alexander Fleming discovered the 
germ-killing properties of the ``mold juice'' secreted by penicillium, 
he knew that it could have enormous medical value. Unfortunately, 
Fleming was unable to mass-produce penicillin. In 1941, following new 
research relating to this ``wonder drug,'' Pfizer executives risked 
their own stocks and invested millions of dollars to develop a process 
to mass-produce penicillin. Thankfully, they were successful. With the 
U.S. Government desperate for penicillin to aid soldiers in World War 
II, the company, in true patriotic spirit, agreed to share its method 
with competitors while still leading the way in penicillin production.
  From this point on, Pfizer expanded into a global leadership role in 
the pharmaceutical industry. The company opened operations around the 
world and developed new and effective antibiotics to help in the fight 
against deadly bacteria.
  Pfizer has invested a great amount of its resources into R&D--over 
$2.8 billion in1999 alone. This strategy has resulted in the launch of 
many successful drugs that help people live better lives. By bringing 
best-in-class medicines to market and working with patients and 
physicians to develop comprehensive disease management programs, Pfizer 
helps people control their illness, rather than letting peoples' 
illness control them.
  Recognized as one of the world's most admired companies, Pfizer was 
recently named ``Company of the Year'' by Forbes magazine. I applaud 
the employees of Pfizer in Groton and around the world on the company's 
150th anniversary for the many contributions they have made to 
improving the health and well-being of millions in this country and 
across the globe.

                    RECOGNITION OF THOMAS G. LABONTE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ROBERT A. WEYGAND

                            of rhode island

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 14, 1999

  Mr. WEYGAND. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 1999 National 
Distinguished Principal from the State of Rhode Island, Thomas Labonte. 
Thom is in Washington this week to join his peers and accept this 
prestigious honor. I am particularly pleased to honor Thom today, as I 
have had the opportunity to know him and his family since we grew up in 
the same city and our paths have crossed numerous times throughout our 
lives. He worked at the local pharmacy my family frequented, his 
brother went to high school with me, he was my son's principal in East 
Providence and his son started as an intern in my State house office 
and now serves on my staff in Washington.
  Thom began as a classroom teacher in East Providence in 1970 and was 
appointed principal of Kent Heights Elementary School in 1986. During 
his time at Kent Heights, he oversaw the expansion of this neighborhood 
school to a school which educates over 320 students today. My son was 
one of Thom's students before Thom left Kent Heights to become the 
principal at the Watters and Meadowscrest Elementary Schools and begin 
his service in Pawtucket in 1990.
  When he first arrived at Elizabeth Baldwin Elementary School in 
Pawtucket, he served as the sole administrator in a school with nearly 
800 students, 90 percent of whom were eligible for free or reduced 
lunch. Considering that working with high risk students is one of his 
passions, it is no surprise that Thom thrived in this setting. During 
his time in Pawtucket, he also developed and began the first teacher 
mentoring program, which provides new teachers with a seasoned and 
experienced mentor as they begin their careers. This mentoring program 
has been lauded statewide as a model.
  When he arrived in South Kingstown, he continued his refreshing and 
creative educational leadership. While principal of Wakefield 
Elementary School, he was appointed to serve concurrently as the 
director of the Hazard School where he oversaw the rehabilitation and 
redevelopment of the town's kindergarten center. He continues to 
provide a stable and thriving learning environment to the students, 
teachers, parents in the Wakefield School community.
  As Thom has said, ``I model the behaviors I want others to emulate, 
because I truly respect each child, parent, and teacher, and want the 
school to have a caring atmosphere

[[Page E2100]]

which supports others.'' I have visited Wakefield Elementary School and 
can attest that his simple philosophy has created a learning 
environment where all kids can learn.
  His son once remarked to me that although many children have been 
blessed with Thom's talents during their time in elementary school, he 
has been most fortunate to be blessed with his father's talents for his 
entire life. On behalf of the many children who have been fortunate to 
have Mr. Labonte as their principal, I offer my congratulations to him 
and his wife Jane, to whom Thom gives much deserved credit.

                          ____________________