[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 160 (Wednesday, December 12, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Page S7982]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 615--CONGRATULATING THE RECIPIENTS OF THE 2012 NOBEL 
                           PRIZE IN CHEMISTRY

  Mr. BURR (for himself, Mrs. Boxer, Mrs. Feinstein, and Mrs. Hagan) 
submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 615

       Whereas the Nobel Prize is an international award 
     administered by the Nobel Foundation in Stockholm, Sweden;
       Whereas the Nobel Prize has been awarded for outstanding 
     achievements in physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, 
     literature, and peace since 1901;
       Whereas the Nobel Prize in Chemistry is awarded by the 
     Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences in Stockholm, Sweden to 
     recognize scientific advancements that have increased our 
     understanding of chemical processes and their molecular 
     basis;
       Whereas the 2012 Nobel Prize in Chemistry is awarded 
     jointly to Robert J. Lefkowitz, M.D., a Howard Hughes Medical 
     Institute investigator and James B. Duke Professor of 
     Medicine and Biochemistry at Duke University Medical Center 
     in Durham, North Carolina, and Brian K. Kobilka, M.D., 
     Professor and Chair of Molecular and Cellular Physiology at 
     the Stanford University School of Medicine in Stanford, 
     California, for their studies on G-protein-coupled receptors;
       Whereas G-protein-coupled receptors are a class of cell 
     surface receptors that catch chemical signals from the 
     outside and transmit their messages into the cell, providing 
     the cell with information about changes occurring within the 
     body;
       Whereas the studies completed by Robert J. Lefkowitz, M.D., 
     and Brian K. Kobilka, M.D., have significantly advanced our 
     scientific understanding of G-protein-coupled receptors and 
     their functions;
       Whereas the groundbreaking discoveries made by Robert J. 
     Lefkowitz, M.D., and Brian K. Kobilka, M.D., have made it 
     possible to target and treat diseases more precisely and 
     effectively, as nearly half of all medicines used in the 
     world are aimed at G-protein-coupled receptors;
       Whereas the National Institutes of Health supported the 
     work done by Robert J. Lefkowitz, M.D., and Brian K. Kobilka, 
     M.D., through research grants with the goal of advancing 
     scientific knowledge and improving public health; and
       Whereas the accomplishments and discoveries of Robert J. 
     Lefkowitz, M.D., and Brian K. Kobilka, M.D., are significant 
     achievements in the field of scientific and medical research 
     and further promote the United States as a world leader in 
     science: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) congratulates the recipients of the 2012 Nobel Prize in 
     Chemistry, which is awarded for their outstanding scientific 
     achievements and discoveries; and
       (2) recognizes Duke University Medical Center in Durham, 
     North Carolina, and the Stanford University School of 
     Medicine in Stanford, California for their leadership role in 
     advancing medical research.

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