[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 154 (Thursday, October 22, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2606]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  RECOGNIZING DR. CHARLES ANTZELEVITCH

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL A. ARCURI

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 22, 2009

  Mr. ARCURI. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Dr. Charles 
Antzelevitch for his 25 years of service as executive director and 
director of research at the world renowned Masonic Medical Research Lab 
(MMRL) in Utica, New York.
  Dr. Antzelevitch truly embodies the American dream. After immigrating 
to this country from Israel as a child, he worked as a cab driver in 
New York City and put himself through college before earning a 
doctorate at SUNY Upstate Medical. From there he went on to do his post 
doctoral work at MMRL, eventually becoming a Gordon K. Moe Scholar and 
Professor of Pharmacology at SUNY Health Science Center in Syracuse, 
New York. Dr. Antzelevitch has distinguished himself as an award-
winning scientist, editorial board member of several leading medical 
journals and member of numerous national medical research committees.
  Under the exceptional leadership of Dr. Antzelevitch, MMRL has 
excelled in its mission to improve the health and quality of life for 
all humankind through its discovery of genetic mutations responsible 
for Brugada syndrome, Long QT syndrome which is linked to sudden infant 
death syndrome, Short QT syndrome which is linked to sudden cardiac 
death syndrome, and many other cardiac-related syndromes and illnesses.
  An internationally renowned authority in the field of biomedical 
research, Dr. Antzelevitch has received too many awards and honors to 
enumerate. His contributions to scientific literature include 310 
original papers and book chapters, over 250 abstracts and four books. 
MMRL, often referred to as a ``gem in the crown'' of Utica, is widely 
recognized as one of the top research laboratories in the world working 
on cardiac arrhythmias.
  Other initiatives of Dr. Antzelevitch and MMRL, which include free 
screenings and four educational programs, demonstrate an unparalleled 
commitment to our local community. MMRL hosts a summer fellowship 
program and welcomes undergraduate, predoctoral and postdoctoral 
students, as well as the wider scientific and medical community, to use 
the lab's extensive library for research and reference.
  Madam Speaker, I call on my colleagues to join me in honoring Dr. 
Antzelevitch for his distinguished 25-year career at MMRL and his 
ongoing service to our community. He is a father, mentor and friend to 
all who know him, and I wish him many more years of success and 
prosperity.

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