[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 137 (Wednesday, October 1, 2003)]
[House]
[Pages H9059-H9061]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       CONGRATULATING FORT DETRICK ON 60 YEARS OF SERVICE TO U.S.

  Mr. BARTLETT of Maryland. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules 
and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 271) 
congratulating Fort Detrick on 60 years of service to the United 
States, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 271

       Whereas April 10, 2003, was the 60th anniversary of the 
     founding of the Army installation in Frederick, Maryland, 
     named Fort Detrick;
       Whereas Fort Detrick is designated as an Army Medical 
     Installation and is home to the United States Army Medical 
     Research and Materiel Command (USAMRMC), one of two campuses 
     of the National Cancer Institute (NCI-Frederick), and 36 
     other organizations of the Department of Defense and other 
     Federal departments;
       Whereas the primary missions of the organizations at Fort 
     Detrick include biomedical research and development, medical 
     materiel management, and global telecommunications;
       Whereas throughout that installation's 60-year history, the 
     personnel and organizations assigned to that installation 
     have contributed scientific breakthroughs and medical 
     solutions for the Armed Forces and the Nation;
       Whereas Fort Detrick is a focal point for the Nation's 
     biomedical scientific leadership and has contributed 
     extensively to protecting and improving public health in the 
     United States;
       Whereas Fort Detrick has been home to preeminent 
     researchers in bacteriology, microbiology, clinical and 
     preventative medicine, biochemistry, neurology, botany, 
     virology, and genomics;
       Whereas the research program at Fort Detrick was a pioneer 
     in the laboratory facility designs, equipment, and procedures 
     that are used for infectious disease research in laboratories 
     worldwide;
       Whereas researchers at Fort Detrick have improved public 
     health throughout the world through the creation of botulinum 
     antibodies, which have been used to treat both infant and 
     adult victims of botulism;
       Whereas the Venezuelan equine encephalitis vaccines, which 
     were created at Fort Detrick, have been used to control human 
     and animal outbreaks of Venezuelan equine encephalitis, and 
     the Rift Valley Fever vaccines, which were also created at 
     Fort Detrick, have been used to protect people in Egypt, 
     Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and other countries who are at high risk 
     of Rift Valley Fever;
       Whereas, on January 27, 1969, the Office of the Surgeon 
     General of the Army established the United States Army 
     Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases 
     (hereinafter in this resolution referred to as the 
     ``Institute''), which is located at Fort Detrick and is the 
     Department of Defense's lead laboratory for medical aspects 
     of biological warfare defense;
       Whereas when outbreaks of hantaviral disease began in the 
     southwestern United States in 1993, the Institute was called 
     upon by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and by 
     various State health departments for consultations;
       Whereas when the Ebola virus was first carried to the 
     shores of the United States in late 1989 by a primate colony 
     found in Reston, Virginia, it was researchers at the 
     Institute who diagnosed and contained the outbreak;
       Whereas the Institute also played a key role in the 
     identification of and response to the initial outbreak of 
     West Nile virus in New York;
       Whereas the Institute continues its life-saving work by 
     collaborating with the Centers for Disease Control and 
     Prevention and the National Institutes of Health on the 
     development of diagnostics and the evaluation of antiviral 
     drugs for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome;
       Whereas the Institute created a vaccine against hemorrhagic 
     fever in the 1980s, which has possibly saved thousands of 
     lives in Argentina, including the lives of agricultural 
     workers at risk for exposure to this hemorrhagic fever virus;
       Whereas the Institute was the only Federal laboratory to 
     maintain a continuous diagnostic reference capability on a 
     24-hour per day basis after the attacks of September 11, 
     2001, and provided expertise in medical diagnostics and 
     decontamination that was key to ensuring that congressional 
     office buildings were safe to reoccupy after the anthrax mail 
     attacks in the fall of 2001;
       Whereas leading vaccine candidates for anthrax, plague, 
     tularemia, and botulinum neurotoxins were all originally 
     developed at the Institute;
       Whereas the basic research program at the Institute is 
     responsible for some of the most promising medical 
     countermeasures against the leading biological threats that 
     are on the ``A'' List of the Centers for Disease Control and 
     Prevention;
       Whereas the Institute has established a partnership with 
     the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases of 
     the National Institutes of Health to collaborate and 
     accelerate biodefense research that will protect all 
     Americans against the threat of biological and chemical 
     attacks by terrorists;
       Whereas in 1974, the United States Army Medical Materiel 
     Agency was relocated to Fort Detrick and the Navy, Air Force, 
     and Army all now conduct medical logistics planning and 
     management at Fort Detrick in support of global military 
     operations;
       Whereas the Foreign Disease-Weed Science Research Unit of 
     the Agricultural Research Service of the Department of 
     Agriculture has conducted high-priority research in the Plant 
     Pathogen Containment Facility at Fort Detrick for over 30 
     years, providing the agricultural community with basic 
     epidemiological information and rapid diagnostic assays for 
     exotic threatening and emerging crop diseases, such as Karnal 
     bunt of wheat, soybean rust, potato late blight, and plum pox 
     virus;
       Whereas Company B, 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance 
     Battalion, 4th Marine Division, United States Marine Corps 
     Reserve, which has been assigned to Fort Detrick since 
     October 1987, had a mission of reconnaissance and security in 
     support of a Marine Air/Ground Task Force and received the 
     Meritorious Unit Citation for its service during Operation 
     Desert Storm;
       Whereas the Army's 1108th Signal Brigade at Fort Detrick 
     provides important strategic

[[Page H9060]]

     communication support to the White House and the Joint Chiefs 
     of Staff; and
       Whereas the National Cancer Institute-Frederick at Fort 
     Detrick, one of two campuses of the National Cancer Institute 
     of the National Institutes of Health, is an internationally 
     recognized center for scientific excellence in the 
     prevention, detection, and treatment of cancer and AIDS: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), That the Congress--
       (1) congratulates Fort Detrick, Maryland, on 60 years of 
     service to the Nation; and
       (2) commends the military and civilian personnel of the 
     Army, other elements of the Department of Defense, and other 
     Federal departments and agencies who have worked diligently 
     at Fort Detrick since its founding--
       (A) to defend the United States against biological and 
     chemical attack; and
       (B) to develop vaccines for all types of illnesses.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Maryland (Mr. Bartlett) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Ortiz) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Bartlett).


                             General Leave

  Mr. BARTLETT of Maryland. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that 
all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and 
extend their remarks on the concurrent resolution under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Maryland?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. BARTLETT of Maryland. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  As the cosponsor of H. Con. Res. 271, I rise to congratulate Fort 
Detrick on 60 years of outstanding service to our Nation. Fort Detrick, 
located in Frederick, Maryland, employs men and women who are among the 
Nation's most preeminent researchers in bacteriology, microbiology, 
clinical and preventive medicine, biochemistry, neurology, botany, 
virology, and genomics. These scientists and technicians have an 
unparalleled record protecting the men and women in America's Armed 
Forces from the scourge of biowarfare.
  They have also led the world's fight against many infectious 
diseases. Today workers at Fort Detrick are helping to protect and 
improve the health of all Americans, as well as people around the 
world.
  During the height of World War II, in 1943, scientists converged at 
Camp Detrick when the War Department began to address the threat of 
biological warfare. In 1956, the U.S. Army Medical Unit was formed to 
develop medical countermeasures which included rapid and effective 
diagnostic and identification procedures. Throughout the Cold War, Fort 
Detrick developed and matured many of the standard protocols and 
technology utilized in biomedical research.
  In 1969, the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious 
Diseases, USAMRIID, was established to continue America's defense 
against biological agents.
  Of today's top six biological threats, the CDC's ``A'' list, the 
leading candidate countermeasures for at least five of the six have 
come from the basic research program at USAMRIID. Leading vaccine 
candidates for anthrax, plague, and neurotoxins were all originally 
developed at USAMRIID. The technology used to develop a new smallpox 
vaccine was first demonstrated at USAMRIID. The National Cancer 
Institute-Frederick is an internationally recognized center for 
scientific excellence in the prevention, detection, and treatment of 
cancer and AIDS. Three billion dollars in congressionally directed 
research into breast and prostate cancer have been done at the NCI, 
which is located at Fort Detrick.
  Fort Detrick is also a home of the 1108th Signal Brigade, the U.S. 
Army Medical Material Agency, and the 4th Light Armored Vehicle 
Battalion of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. The Foreign Disease-Weed 
Science Research Unit of the Department of Agriculture is also located 
at Fort Detrick and has conducted high-priority research in exotic 
threatening and emerging crop diseases for over 30 years.
  The National Institutes of Health will be constructing an integrated 
biomedical research facility at the post to support the biodefense 
mission of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. 
The Department of Homeland Security is considering joining NIAID and 
USAMRIID in an expanded biodefense campus at Fort Detrick. Fort Detrick 
is the logical location because of the 60-year record of 
accomplishments, the existing facilities and the productive 
partnerships already in place between the military and many civilian 
agencies of the Federal Government.
  Fort Detrick is a focal point for America's biomedical scientific 
leadership. I congratulate all of the thousands of former and current 
employees for their outstanding service to our Nation.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  (Mr. ORTIZ asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I join my colleague from Maryland (Mr. 
Bartlett) in support of this resolution and urge my colleagues to 
support it as well.
  Fort Detrick is one of the most important lines of defense should we 
ever be attacked with a chemical or biological weapon. Since 1969, it 
has been our Nation's lead laboratory for the medical aspects of 
biological warfare defense.

                              {time}  1215

  The September 11 attacks used civilian airplanes as weapons of mass 
destruction; but it raises the specter of a terrorist attack that would 
use a chemical, biological, or nuclear weapon against us. I hope such 
an attack never occurs; but if it does, the men and women of Fort 
Detrick are devoted to improving the ways to quickly detect the use of 
chemical or biological weapons, halt the spread of chemical and 
biological agents as quickly as possible, and treat the victims of the 
attack.
  But the mission of Fort Detrick goes beyond just protecting against 
chemical or biological attack. Fort Detrick has played a leading role 
in protecting our Nation and other nations against all types of 
infectious diseases. They helped identify the West Nile Virus several 
summers ago, and they created a vaccine in the 1980s that probably 
saved the lives of thousands of Argentinians from an agricultural 
virus. Fort Detrick has been a world leader in research of 
microbiology, biochemistry, botany, and other scientific disciplines 
that are necessary to understanding how to detect and treat lethal 
viruses.
  Fort Detrick also serves as home to one of the two campuses of the 
National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health. This 
NIH campus is internationally recognized for its contribution to cancer 
and AIDS research.
  The mission of Fort Detrick goes beyond research as well. Since 1974, 
all medical logistical support of global military operations is planned 
and managed by Fort Detrick. This is an extremely important mission as 
our troops are flung worldwide in the global war on terrorism. And as 
my good friend, the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Bartlett), mentioned, 
the Army's 1108th Signal Brigade at Fort Detrick provides strategic 
communications support to the White House and the joint chiefs.
  This is just a symbol of the accomplishments and missions of Fort 
Detrick, not an inventory of what they do. They do a great job.
  Mr. Speaker, I commend and congratulate my good friend, the gentleman 
from Maryland (Mr. Bartlett), for bringing this resolution to the 
floor.
  Mr. RUPPERSBERGER. Mr. Speaker, as Congressman from Maryland's Second 
Congressional district home to Aberdeen and Fort Meade . . . I know 
what it means to represent our brave military men and women who 
continue to defend this nation abroad and here at home.
  Many who protect us do so with weapons . . . and many protect us in 
otherways. . .
  Fort Detrick is the premier military base for medical and biological 
research. The men and women that work at the Detrick have led the way 
in infectious disease and chemical warfare research.
  Detrick began as a chemical research facility housing the research 
branch of The Army Chemical Warfare Service. It is also the home

[[Page H9061]]

to the Armed Forces Medical Intelligence Center (AFMIC).
  Detrick is also home to U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of 
Infectious Disease (USAMRIID). These state of the art laboratories are 
continuing to develop vaccines and treatments to defend against 
offensive bioweapons. USAMRIID also has a large staff dedicated to 
finding cures for cancer.
  I am proud that the United States has dedicated a military base to 
these problems and I am proud it is in the my home state of Maryland. 
It is imperative in this day of terrorism to be prepared for the new 
chemical and biological weapons. Today I am happy to honor the 60 years 
of research that Detrick has provided for the National Security of this 
Nation.
  Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. BARTLETT of Maryland. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Sessions). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Bartlett) that the House 
suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 
271, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the concurrent resolution, as 
amended, was agreed to.
  The title of the concurrent resolution was amended so as to read: 
``Concurrent resolution congratulating Fort Detrick, Maryland, on 60 
years of service to the Nation.''.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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