[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 166 (Wednesday, November 2, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7062-S7063]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO DR. VIVIAN PINN

 Ms. SNOWE. Mr. President, please allow me to join with family, 
friends, and colleagues in extending my heartfelt congratulations to 
Dr. Vivian Pinn on her retirement as Director of the Office of Research 
on Women's Health at the National Institutes of Health after two 
decades of exceptional service for women in our Nation.
  First and foremost, let me say it has not only been a privilege to 
work with her over the years to advance women's health policy, but to 
call her my friend as well. In fact, just this past February, Vivian 
was in my office where I had the extraordinary honor of receiving the 
prestigious Women's Health Research Visionary Award. As one of two 
recipients this year the other being my good friend and colleague, 
Senator Barbara Mikulski of Maryland, one of the Senate's greatest 
advocates and indeed voices for women, I can tell you this is an 
accolade I will cherish forever. And that it was presented to me by 
such a remarkable woman made the occasion all the more poignant and 
special.
  Indeed, Vivian is as phenomenal as she is inspirational--and her 
monumental legacy at the National Institutes of Health and across the 
country will reverberate for generations. Nearly 20 years after she 
first took the helm of the Office of Research on Women's Health and a 
career later, it is incredible to see how far we have come due in no 
small part to her indelible efforts as a legendary and tireless 
advocate.
  Simply put, Vivian paved the way in America for women's health 
research and continues to be an unrivaled force for the greater good. 
In addition to her many accomplishments at the Office of Research on 
Women's Health, her numerous awards and honors--including her induction 
as a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1994, the 
Elizabeth Blackwell award from the American Medical Women's 
Association, and her election to the Institute of Medicine in 1995, 
just to name a few--are truly indicative of her selfless and boundless 
commitment. And we couldn't be more grateful.
  The timeline of America's consciousness about women's health 
fittingly parallels Vivian's unmatched trajectory of public service in 
medicine. In 1990--with Vivian's help and my strong support in close 
bipartisan, bicameral collaboration with Representative Pat Schroeder--
with whom I cochaired the Congress--Caucus for Women's Issues, 
Representative Connie Morella who succeeded me as co-chair, Senator 
Barbara Mikulski--our vital compatriot in the Senate, as well as 
dedicated patient advocates across the country, the groundbreaking 
Office of Research on Women's Health was established at the National 
Institutes of Health, with Vivian as the first full-time director in 
1991.
  Throughout her tenure, she worked endlessly to ensure that women's 
health became a priority at the National Institutes of Health, and have 
helped increase the number of women in leadership roles in research and 
academic institutions. Working with Vivian, our allies in Congress, 
leaders at the National Institutes of Health like Dr. Bernadine Healy, 
the former director who sadly passed away in August, as well as many 
other stakeholders nationwide, we secured more funding and greater 
attention to breast cancer, osteoporosis, ovarian and cervical cancer 
research through groundbreaking

[[Page S7063]]

programs like the Women's Health Initiative.
  Vivian, you are a trailblazer, a pioneer, a visionary, and frankly, 
an icon of medicine. You saw what others could not see and led where 
others would not act, and for that we are forever in your debt. You 
have my very best wishes and my profound gratitude for all you have 
achieved for women and the Nation.
  Thank you for allowing me to share my thoughts as Vivian embarks on 
this next chapter in her life.

                          ____________________