[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 53 (Thursday, May 2, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3886-S3887]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                           EXECUTIVE CALENDAR

  Mr. DASCHLE. I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to 
executive session to consider the following nomination reported out 
earlier today by the Health, Education, and Labor Committee: Elias Adam 
Zerhouni, to be Director of the National Institutes of Health. I 
further ask that the nomination be confirmed, the motion to reconsider 
be laid upon the table, the President be immediately notified of the 
Senate's action, any statements be printed in the Record, and the 
Senate return to legislative session without any intervening action or 
debate.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The nomination considered and confirmed is as follows:


                department of health and human services

       Elias Adam Zerhouni, of Maryland, to be Director of the 
     National Institutes of Health.
  Ms. MIKULSKI. Mr. President, I rise to congratulate Dr. Elias 
Zerhouni on his confirmation by the U.S. Senate as the new Director of 
the National Institutes of Health. I am pleased that his nomination was 
approved by the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee this 
morning and that the Senate has approved his nomination today.
  I am proud that Maryland is home to the National Institutes of 
Health, and some of the best and brightest researchers in the world. 
Now Maryland is the home of the National Institutes of Health's new 
Director, Dr. Zerhouni.
  Dr. Zerhouni has spent his impressive career turning medical research 
into tools and treatments that improve patients' lives. He is an 
innovative thinker and a successful entrepreneur who has turned his 
scientific discoveries into successful businesses. He is also a 
talented administrator who will bring his leadership skills to bear on 
this challenging new role. His administrative skills will be especially 
important as Congress completes the bipartisan commitment to double 
NIH's budget this year.
  I am pleased that the U.S. Senate has given Dr. Zerhouni this 
resounding show of support as he prepares to take the helm of the 
world's finest research institution. I look forward to working with Dr. 
Zerhouni in his new role as Director of the National Institutes of 
Health. The National Institutes of Health and the American people will 
be well served by Dr. Elias Zerhouni.
  Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, today the Senate is considering the 
nomination of one of the nation's most distinguished scientific 
leaders, Dr. Elias Zerhouni, to be the Director of the National 
Institutes of Health.
  Dr. Zerhouni's life is a story about endless possibilities. He 
arrived from Algeria with little else but his medical training--and a 
desire to help his fellow human beings facing disease. From that humble 
beginning, he has explored the endless possibilities of medical 
research. His contributions have been extraordinary.
  Dr. Zerhouni developed new methods for imaging living tissues that 
are in use in hospitals around the nation. As a skilled administrator, 
he has demonstrated leadership and vision time and time again at Johns 
Hopkins. He revitalized the Medical School's Clinical Practice 
Association. He worked skillfully with scientists, business leaders and 
elected officials to create a thriving biotechnology park.
  Most recently, he established the groundbreaking Institute for Cell 
Engineering. At this remarkable new facility, scientists are exploring 
the potential of stem cells to alleviate some of the most deadly 
diseases we face as a nation. The stem cell research conducted at the 
new Institute is already providing new insights into therapies for 
Parkinson's Disease, spinal injury, diabetes, and other serious 
illnesses.
  In many ways, the story of NIH is also a story about endless 
possibilities. NIH research has developed therapies to free millions of 
Americans from the limitations of disease and disability so that they, 
too, can explore the endless possibilities of an active and productive 
life.
  Dr. Zerhouni will become the first NIH Director in this new century 
of the life sciences. Never have the possibilities for NIH been 
greater. The NIH budget will increase to more than $27 billion this 
year. Those funds will support research and training in thousands of 
research institutions across the nation and around the world. Leading 
the NIH is an awesome responsibility that will determine the quality of 
life for millions and millions of Americans for many years to come.
  NIH research ranges from studies of microscopic structures in living 
cells to investigations of patterns of disease in entire populations. 
NIH research not only gives us information about what keeps us healthy 
or makes us sick, but it reveals new insights into who we are as human 
beings.
  The advances made by NIH research in just the first two years of this 
new century are extraordinary--and the future promises still greater 
wonders. Already in this century, NIH research has helped map the human 
genome. No less important than these basic genetic studies are recent 
findings from NIH scientists that structured lifestyle changes can 
significantly reduce the risk of diabetics, sparing millions of 
Americans from this deadly disease.
  The impact of NIH research on human health is incalculable. Life 
expectancies have risen dramatically over the last century, and some 
scientists believe that the first human being to live to be a 
productive 150 year-old is already alive today.
  Never before have the challenges for NIH been greater. The anthrax 
attacks of last fall taught the nation what many of us knew already--
that the powerful techniques of modern biology can be used not only to 
heal but to harm. Just this week, the Brookings Institute published a 
risk assessment showing that a million Americans could die in a major 
biological attack.
  NIH must provide the leadership required to develop new medical 
weapons in the battle against bioterrorism. I know that good progress 
is already being make in the race to develop better vaccines against 
smallpox, anthrax, and other dangerous pathogens.
  I would also like to extend my thanks, and the thanks of the entire 
Senate to Dr. Ruth Kirschstein, who has served so effectively as Acting 
Director since the departure of Dr. Harold Varmus. She has served in 
this important position with dedication and skill, to the great benefit 
of NIH and the nation.
  Earlier this week, our committee received Dr. Zerhouni's nomination 
papers from the President. A few days ago, we listened to him explain 
his vision for meeting the challenges and seizing the opportunities of 
this new century of the life sciences as NIH Director. Earlier today, 
our committee approved his nomination unanimously. I hope my Senate 
colleagues will confirm his nomination quickly. I wish every good 
future to Dr. Zerhouni, and

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I look forward to working with him closely in the years to come.

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