[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 23 (Wednesday, February 11, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E195]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         A TRIBUTE IN HONOR OF THE LIFE OF CARL DJERASSI, PH.D.

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ANNA G. ESHOO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 11, 2015

  Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an extraordinary 
American, Carl Djerassi, a chemist, novelist, poet and philanthropist 
who excelled in each of these fields. He was the child of two 
physicians, born in 1923 in Vienna, Austria, and he died on January 15, 
2015, at his home in San Francisco, California.
   Dr. Djerassi is best known as the ``Father of the Pill'', the birth 
control pill which brought about a cultural revolution. He is less well 
known for his part in the development of antihistamines to treat 
allergies, and the synthesis of cortisone. Educated at Kenyon College 
and the University of Wisconsin, his first job was with the Swiss 
company, Ciba. From there he went to Syntex, then a small company in 
Mexico. He became a professor at Stanford University in 1959, and 
founded Zoecon, a manufacturer of non-toxic pesticides in 1968. He 
published over 1,200 articles and 7 monographs on chemical subjects.
   Dr. Djerassi's brilliant work in chemistry was only a part of his 
life story. He published numerous poems, short stories, five novels and 
many plays. He founded the Djerassi Resident Artists Program in honor 
of his daughter, Pamela. He was the recipient of countless honors, 
including the National Medal of Science and the Wolf Prize in 
Chemistry. He was a member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences and 
its Institute of Medicine, and he received 32 well-earned honorary 
doctorates.
   Dr. Djerassi was married three times, most recently to the late 
Diane Middlebrook, a professor of literature at Stanford University.
   Dr. Djerassi leaves his son Dale, an independent filmmaker, and his 
grandson Alexander Maxwell Djerassi. He will be sorely missed by all 
who had the good fortune to know him. His life's work was a gift to 
humanity, and his presence made the world a better place.
   Mr. Speaker, I ask the entire House of Representatives to join me in 
honoring the extraordinary life of Carl Djerassi, who was a national 
treasure, and extend our sympathy to his family.

                          ____________________