[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 164 (Friday, November 30, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Pages S12243-S12244]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   PAYING TRIBUTE TO DR. STEVEN HYMAN

 Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, it is with genuine regret that I 
learned about the planned departure of Dr. Steven Hyman as Director of 
the National Institute of Mental Health at the NIH. Steve is a Harvard-
trained psychiatrist and neuroscientist who has impressed me with his 
deep understanding that mental illnesses are very real disturbances 
occurring in the brain, the most complex structure in the known 
universe. Steve used his expertise as a scientist, along with his 
remarkable ability to make science readily understandable to lay 
persons, to convey a simple but profound message to us and to the 
American public, that there is no scientific or medical justification 
for treating mental illnesses differently than any other illness.
  Dr. Hyman has been at the helm of NIMH with a commitment to 
encouraging and supporting the basic research that will enable us to 
develop exciting new treatments, based on an understanding of the 
disease process itself. Although our current treatments get 
increasingly better, they are not perfect, they need to be more 
targeted and rational because as good as these treatments are, those 
with mental illness desperately need treatments that are more 
effective. We need to know how these medications are going to work in 
patients living in the real world, with real work problems because 
people suffering from severe mental illness often have very complex 
complicating factors that contribute to the mental illness.
  I want to express my sincere appreciation for Steve Hyman's forceful 
voice of reason, explaining patiently and constantly that, while we 
don't understand mental illness completely, thanks to magnificent new 
technology and scientific knowledge, the brain is unlocking its 
secrets, and the future is bright. This, in turn, I believe has helped 
convince our colleagues, and the American public--that there must be 
parity for mental health now.
  Steve will be missed, but he has accomplished much during his tenure 
at the National Institute of Mental Health; his success in bringing 
research on mental disorders to the forefront of public consciousness 
will be a strong foundation that his successor must build upon. Nancy 
and I wish Steve and his family great success and happiness as he 
begins his new duties as Provost at Harvard University.


  a transition for one of our nation's foremost mental health leaders

 Mr. WELLSTONE. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the 
extraordinary achievements of Dr. Steve Hyman as Director of the 
National Institute of Mental Health at the National Institutes of 
Health, and to acknowledge his departure as he moves forward to become 
Provost of his alma mater, Harvard University. As we strive to maintain 
the recent Senate victory passing mental health parity legislation, I 
am reminded again about how fortunate it was to have Steve's leadership 
during these critical years. His expertise and remarkable ability to 
convey complex scientific information to the public and to Congress 
have brought us so much further in the struggle to reduce stigma and to 
recognize as a society that mental illnesses are real and treatable. 
The basic scientific facts of mental illness are straightforward, but 
the difficulties encountered by those who want to eliminate the cruel 
and unjust stigma that surrounds diseases like schizophrenia, 
depression, bipolar disorder and others have been monumental. Mental 
illnesses represent a major portion of the disease burden in the United 
States and worldwide; depression is the leading cause of disability in 
the U.S. and throughout the developed world. And yet, our efforts to 
reduce stigma and provide fair treatment for people with mental illness 
are still needed. Parity for mental health treatment is a civil rights 
issue, and the fight for the rights of those with mental illness will 
not be stopped.
  When Steve first came to NIMN, he immediately stated unequivocally 
that there is no scientific basis for treating mental disorders any 
differently than other illnesses with respect to insurance coverage. 
That was his objective and straightforward view as a distinguished 
neuroscientist. I have watched Steve for these last 5\1/2\ years at the 
helm of NIMH, and he has clearly taken the scientific study of mental 
illness very far. His leadership and his extraordinary talents as a 
scientist, communicator, and teacher have made him a major force in 
advancing the public's awareness of the brain and its dysfunctions. 
Although stigma still exists, these are very few who dare to challenge 
the scientific record that mental illnesses are very real disorders of 
the brain, often disrupting that which makes us most human, our 
behavior.
  I am particularly pleased that Steve has been at the forefront of the 
efforts to include the voices of patients and families in the overall 
planning process at the NIMH. He has sponsored public, participatory 
meetings in various areas

[[Page S12244]]

of the country, not only to bring information about the latest 
scientific breakthroughs, but also to seek input from people who live 
in diverse cultures. To his credit, Steve understood that this process 
was necessary so that we ensure that the NIMH addressed questions that 
are relevant and important to all Americans, and to include this 
information in planning the future of NIMH's research agenda. Steve 
also enthusiastically supported the effort to include public members as 
part of the scientific peer review panels that review grant 
applications. Steve believes, as I do, that the views of patients and 
family members are crucial because they offer a unique view of 
research. They ask, Steve often said, the ``so what'' questions that 
are critical to the real lives of people: Will this research help those 
who are suffering? Will it make a difference?
  As he departs, I know that many of my colleagues join me in wishing 
him well and thanking him for all he has done to further scientific 
research and treatment of mental illness. I am confident that Steve has 
placed the NIMH on a course that promises to build on the remarkable 
achievements already achieved, one that will take full advantage of 
scientific opportunities and the extraordinarily challenging public 
health needs that we as a country are now facing. Dr. Steve Hyman will 
be sorely missed, but I know he will continue to be a major force for 
the improvement of mental health care worldwide.

                          ____________________