[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 39 (Friday, March 9, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E360]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         MR. FRANCESCO BELLINI

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. LOU BARLETTA

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 9, 2012

  Mr. BARLETTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Dr. Francesco Bellini who 
has been honored on numerous occasions for his major contributions in 
the fields of entrepreneurship, research and economy.
  Originally from Italy, Dr. Bellini immigrated to Quebec, Canada, in 
1967. With a handful of English words, a non-existent French vocabulary 
and empty pockets, Dr. Bellini began his journey to achieve the 
American dream. In 1972, he graduated from Loyola University with a 
Bachelor of Science degree. Five years later, he completed his 
Doctorate in organic chemistry from the University of New Brunswick.
  In 1986, he co-founded BioChem Pharma, an innovative 
biopharmaceutical company focused on infectious diseases and cancer. 
Under his leadership as chairman and chief executive officer, CEO, he 
helped develop and commercialize BioChem Pharma's first therapeutic 
drug, 3TC, the earliest anti-HIV compound drug ever commercialized. 
Today, 3TC remains the cornerstone of combination HIV/AIDS infection 
therapies. Dr. Bellini's company went on to become one of the largest 
pharmaceutical companies in Canada. After several years, he sold the 
company and became the current chairman of BELLUS Health, ViroChem 
Pharma, Picchio Internation, Picchio Pharma, Prognomix and Molson 
Coors. Additionally, Dr. Bellini is the author or co-author of over 20 
patents and published numerous articles and papers based on his 
research.
  Furthermore, Dr. Bellini is known for his philanthropy. In November 
of 2011, he donated over one million dollars to the Alzheimer Society 
of Laval in Italy. His donation helped construct a new, much larger 
residence and treatment center for those suffering from Alzheimer's 
disease. In addition, Dr. Bellini donated ten million dollars towards 
the new Life Sciences building at McGill University in Quebec. The new 
building will house scientists researching cancer, genetics of complex 
traits, chemical biology, developmental and reproductive biology, and 
cell information transfer systems.
  Mr. Speaker, by dedicating his life to furthering medical research 
and pharmaceuticals, Dr. Francesco Bellini stands as an icon not only 
to those in Italy and Canada, but also to those in the United States as 
well. Therefore, I join my fellow Italian-Americans in honoring Dr. 
Bellini for his lifetime of achievements.

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