[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 74 (Thursday, May 14, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1151]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING HENRY ``HANK'' NORDHOFF ON HIS RETIREMENT FROM GEN-PROBE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. BRIAN P. BILBRAY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 14, 2009

  Mr. BILBRAY. Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor the service of 
Henry ``Hank'' Nordhoff to both the biotechnology and life sciences 
communities of San Diego, as well as to Gen-Probe, from which he is 
retiring after serving fifteen years as President and Chief Executive 
Officer (CEO). Hank is nearly peerless when it comes to the 
contributions he has made to the life sciences community of San Diego 
and I wish him well in his retirement.
  The state of California is far and away the leader when it comes to 
the life sciences industry. With over 2,000 companies employing 271,000 
people and generating $20.3 billion in salaries and wages, California 
is the gold standard for science and biotechnology that the rest of the 
country tries to emulate. San Diego is the crown jewel in the 
California crown with 36,600 employees in the life science community in 
San Diego County at more than 500 companies, including traditional 
biotech, medical device, diagnostic and technology companies. Atop that 
mountain stands Gen-Probe, led by Mr. Hank Nordhoff.
  Hank joined Gen-Probe Incorporated in July 1994 as president and CEO. 
Following the spin-off from Chugai Pharmaceuticals in September 2002, 
he was also appointed chairman of Gen-Probe's board of directors. Hank 
contributed greatly to the innovation that defines Gen-Probe, and that 
is embodied in more than 480 patents the company has been issued around 
the world. Gen-Probe's business is devoted to nucleic acid testing 
(NAT). NAT is the science of identifying diseases accurately and 
rapidly by detecting genetic fingerprints that are unique to an 
infectious microorganism or a cancerous tumor. Gen-Probe's pioneering 
and innovative role in NAT has been broadly recognized--culminating in 
the company receiving the 2004 National Medal of Technology, America's 
highest honor for technological innovation, for developing molecular 
tests that protect America's supply of donated blood from HIV, 
hepatitis and West Nile virus.
  On a personal note, I have had the privilege of working closely with 
Hank on a number of life sciences issues since coming back to Congress 
in June 2006. Hank has been a trusted advisor as part of my science and 
technology advisory group and I have come to rely on his wise counsel 
on everything from patent reform to personalized medicine. It is no 
surprise to me to know that he has been named as one of San Diego's 
most admired CEOs. Hank is a true visionary and his work will continue 
to shape the landscape of San Diego's biotechnology community long into 
the future.
  In short, Hank is a successful business executive, employer, 
statesman and philanthropist, and I wish him well in his future 
retirement endeavors.

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