[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 54 (Thursday, April 26, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E659]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO HENRY P. BECTON

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARGE ROUKEMA

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 26, 2001

  Mrs. ROUKEMA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Henry P. Becton, 
Director Emeritus of Becton Dickinson (BD). On May 3, 2001 Henry Becton 
will be honored by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) for his 
``legacy of discovery in diabetes care''.
  It is estimated that 300 million people will be affected by diabetes 
by the year 2005. Currently, in the United States alone, the total 
annual cost of diabetes is staggering at an estimated $98 billion. 
Nearly 16 million Americans have the disease and many more are 
undiagnosed. We desperately need more education and research. BD has 
been instrumental in furthering efforts to treat and cure diabetes. I 
am proud that the ADA has chosen to honor Henry and BD as partners in 
their fine work.
  BD has a long history of supporting the development of products and 
services to people with diabetes. In fact in 1924, BD began to 
manufacture all-glass syringes for insulin injection. New diabetes 
initiatives include platforms for enhanced insulin delivery, our 
inhaled liquid insulin program and the blood glucose monitoring 
platform.
  Some other facts about BD's work with the ADA include:
  BD worked in partnership with the ADA to increase awareness of 
diabetes and promote National Diabetes Awareness Month (now marked each 
November).
  BD is a member of ADA's Banting Circle, denoting participation at the 
highest level of corporate sponsorship. (The Banting Circle is named 
for the discoverer of insulin.)
  BD provides free products and programs for the 20,000 children who 
attend ADA summer camps each year. Many BD people volunteer at the 
camps; others bike, walk and jog to raise funds for diabetes programs 
and research. In each BD ``getting started kit'' provided to new 
diabetes patients and new-to-insulin patients, BD also includes 
information about the ADA to introduce patients to the organization.
  Many BD employees have supported ADA programs by serving in 
leadership positions throughout the ADA. BD has and continues to offer 
professional workshops in conjunction with the ADA for healthcare 
professionals and families as well as patients dealing with the 
disease.
  Henry Becton has been a tireless advocate for advancing diabetes 
research and treatment. Henry epitomizes the care and commitment with 
his own lifelong spirit of volunteerism and action. In fact, even today 
Henry sits on the BD corporate contributions committee where he 
continues to shape BD's charitable programs. For instance, he was a 
member of the committee in 1994 that established the Diabetes Care Fund 
to support non-profit public education initiatives, research 
activities, and programs to benefit people with diabetes.
  Throughout a century of growth, Becton Dickinson's commitment to 
raising the quality of health care worldwide has remained constant. I 
can testify to the high standards of personal character and integrity 
that Henry Becton has brought to the business community and 
philanthropic and civic communities of northern New Jersey. I 
congratulate Henry Becton and wish him many years of continued success.

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