[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 20 (Thursday, February 5, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Pages S828-S829]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            MEDICAL RESEARCH

  Mr. KING. Mr. President, I also come to the floor today with some 
good news. It comes as no surprise that our debates here in the Senate 
focus generally on challenges, such as the one I just outlined, that 
face the United States. After all, that is our task and it is our 
fundamental responsibility to identify our Nation's problems and work 
together to find solutions.
  But too often--and I am sure everyone in this body realizes--the bad 
news gets more attention than the good news. The old saying is, bad 
news gets halfway around the world before good news gets its shoes 
tied. The problems we face should not, I believe, drown out the 
accomplishments of our citizens as we go about our work every day here 
in the United States.
  I think we should take a little time every now and then to reflect on 
the great things that are happening all over America, and in my case in 
Maine. There are stories of perseverance, innovation, individual 
accomplishments, and community effort. It is in that spirit that I rise 
today with good news from my home State of Maine.
  I will spend a few minutes talking about Dr. Ed Bilsky and the 
impressive work he and a dedicated team of scientists, physicians, and 
students have been doing at one of my favorite schools, the University 
of New England in Biddeford, ME, to better understand and treat chronic 
pain.
  Dr. Bilsky was recently named a member of the Dana Alliance for Brain 
Initiatives, a group of neuroscientists who work together to advance 
public education about the progress and benefits of brain research and 
to provide information on the brain in a way that is understandable and 
accessible for those of us who don't have a Ph.D. in neuroscience.
  His inclusion in this group is recognition of his terrific work to 
advance our understanding of chronic pain. It is also a reflection of 
the prominent role he and his colleagues are playing in a critical 
national effort to address this problem. Chronic pain--and that means 
pain that persists for days, weeks, and months at a time--can be 
absolutely debilitating for people in Maine and around the country and 
is responsible for more than $500 billion a year--$\1/2\ trillion a 
year--in direct and indirect medical costs.
  Periodically in my life I have experienced back pain, and when it 
persists for a period of time, it changes everything. It changes your 
mood, it changes your attitude, it changes your ability to get anything 
done, to focus on the work at hand. There are people in this country 
who are suffering--the estimate is 100 million people suffer chronic 
pain at some point in their lives. That is why the work done at the 
University of New England Center for the Study of Pain and Sensory 
Function, where Dr. Bilsky is one of the leaders, is so important.
  This center is built around a core group of scientists, educators, 
health care professionals, whose research at the University of New 
England is focused on understanding the neurobiology of pain. How does 
it happen? How is it caused? What can we do about it?
  Faculty and students work together to study the causes of chronic 
pain and apply this knowledge to preventing and better treating this 
very challenging and very prevalent condition. Projects include working 
to develop new kinds of nonopioid painkillers. That is a big deal 
because of all of the side effects and dangers of opioid painkillers 
which we are experiencing in our society. To develop nonopioid 
painkillers would be a tremendous boon to this country, those which 
don't have the side effects of opioids. They are also studying the 
genes and proteins that can turn acute pain into chronic pain and 
trying to find out the genetic and chromosomal basis of this terrible 
problem.

  As with any success story, certain key events, people, and 
investments have made this research community what it is today. The 
recruitment of key faculty scientists, such as Dr. Bilsky and his 
codirector Dr. Ian Meng, in the early 2000s was pivotal to this effort. 
The addition of complementary research-driven faculty and 
administrators as well as the launch at the university of the Center 
for Excellence in the Neurosciences continue to move this project 
forward.
  I should mention here the leadership of Daniel Ripich, the president 
of the University of New England, who is a true visionary and a great 
leader in the advancement of science and medicine as well as the 
mission of this great university.
  The NIH took notice, awarding the university a 5-year, $10 million 
grant in 2012 to create the Center for the Study of Pain and Sensory 
Function, focusing on the neurobiology of pain. As is often the case, 
that Federal investment in research, which I believe is one of the most 
important and valuable investments the Federal Government can make, has 
been critical to the growth of these research opportunities and 
projects and has helped to attract further Federal and private 
investment.

[[Page S829]]

  The importance of cooperation and collaboration in a project such as 
this cannot be overstated. Dr. Bilsky and his colleagues have developed 
in-State and national networks for collaborative research, training, 
and public advocacy. They have partnered with clinicians, other 
researchers, the private sector, community leaders, and schools 
throughout Maine and the country to not only further their research and 
advance the bodies of knowledge relating to chronic pain, but also to 
maximize the positive impact of that research by applying it in their 
communities. This improves the lives of our citizens by helping them 
understand the causes and potential treatments for their pain.
  Any university's primary mission is to educate, and Dr. Bilsky and 
his colleagues have taken their important work into the surrounding 
community. They have developed a vibrant and award-winning K-12 
outreach program led by Dr. Mike Burman that focuses on brain safety 
and brain awareness. This innovative approach to STEM education has 
been recognized by the White House Office of Science and Technology 
Policy. This program engages more than 3,000 local kids each year and 
inspires kids to enter STEM-related careers, which is one of the most 
important objectives we can encourage in this country.
  The research has also helped to spur economic development in Maine. 
Faculty members work in partnership with local biotech and 
pharmaceutical companies, helping the private sector with local 
research and development they may otherwise be unable to afford. This 
cooperation has helped Maine companies grow and create jobs. It is a 
win-win for everyone involved. It has built the reputation of the 
University of New England, and it draws positive attention to the State 
of Maine and, most importantly, it helps change lives.
  If my colleagues can't tell, I am very proud of this work done in my 
State. As we go about our work here in this body, it is important, I 
believe, every now and then to recognize the success stories at home. 
We might even learn a thing or two from them.
  With that positive thought, I yield the floor.
  Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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