[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 178 (Friday, November 16, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2456]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 A TRIBUTE TO DR. JAMES SLATER OF LOMA LINDA UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER

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                            HON. JERRY LEWIS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 15, 2007

  Mr. LEWIS of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute 
to one of the most outstanding individuals I have come to know in my 30 
years in Congress, Dr. James Slater of Loma Linda University Medical 
Center, who pioneered the development of the proton beam cancer 
therapy.
  When Loma Linda University Medical Center in my district recruited 
Dr. James Slater to develop a radiation oncology program in 1970, they 
gained a unique expert in the field of radiation therapy. Before he 
became a physician, Dr. Slater's main interest was physics. With a 
profound understanding of the way radiation works on the human body, 
Dr. Slater set out to find a way to gain more control of the process 
and reduce the toll this therapy takes on patients.
  He became convinced after nearly 15 years of research that the best 
way to accomplish this was through proton beams, which had been tested 
in research laboratories but never developed as a permanent medical 
therapy. After meeting with scientists and physicians from around the 
world, Dr. Slater began looking for a partner to develop the technology 
for a proton-beam treatment center. When private industry declined to 
take the challenge, he turned to Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory 
(Fermilab) near Chicago, which had been actively involved in research 
on the potential for medical technology. In 1986, the medical center 
and Fermilab--backed by the Department of Energy--agreed to build a 
proton-beam treatment center at Loma Linda.
  One of the most marvelous experiences I've had as a member of 
Congress came in 1987, when Dr. Slater and his team came to my office 
to lay out the plan for a new way of treating cancer tumors. I was 
quickly convinced that his idea was fabulous, and his ability to bring 
together the medical, technical and operational experts was superb. 
During a hearing before the House Energy Appropriations Subcommittee, 
my colleagues agreed. Many members had family or close friends who had 
been afflicted with cancer, and they were eager to help find a new 
treatment plan. Major funding was approved and the center opened in 
1990.
  Thanks to the dedication of the medical center and the support of 
Congress and Department of Energy, Dr. Slater's vision has become a 
reality in the past 20 years. More than 11,500 patients have received 
treatment for prostate cancer, brain tumors, and other forms of cancer. 
A research program is promising new ways to treat breast cancer early 
and possibly avoid mastectomies in many cases. Another program has 
helped the National Aeronautics and Space Administration research the 
effects of space radiation and design better equipment for astronauts. 
Since 2003, four more proton-beam treatment centers have opened in 
other areas of the country.
  Madam Speaker, I am delighted to tell my colleagues that Loma Linda 
University Medical Center has decided to honor this pioneering medical 
scientist by naming the proton beam treatment center in his honor. 
There is no doubt that this honor is richly deserved, and memorializes 
a true visionary and benefactor for thousands of cancer patients in the 
future. Please join me in congratulating Dr. Slater on receiving this 
honor, and thanking him for his dedication to opening new horizons in 
the fight against cancer.

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