[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 92 (Monday, June 3, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S3158]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                        TRIBUTE TO MARK WRIGHTON

 Mr. BLUNT. Mr. President, I take this opportunity to honor the 
work and career of Chancellor Mark Wrighton of Washington University in 
St. Louis. On May 31, 2019, Chancellor Wrighton concluded his term as 
chancellor after 24 years at Washington University.
  In 1995, Chancellor Wrighton began his career at Washington 
University in St. Louis. He was brought to St. Louis to serve as the 
14th chancellor to one of the top institutions in the United States. 
Consistently ranked in the top 20 for best universities and currently 
ranked No. 8 for best research and medical schools, Washington 
University in St. Louis's reputation has grown; and its academic reach 
expanded under the leadership of Chancellor Wrighton. Although it was 
already a top school when he arrived, Chancellor Wrighton had a strong 
vision for boosting the full-time faculty numbers, making capital 
improvements to continue the high-quality learning experience for 
students, expanding their reach internationally, and enhancing the 
advancements in their medical research.
  Under his guidance and leadership, Chancellor Wrighton saw the 
construction of 50 new buildings, including a state-of-the-art research 
facility, the Debra and George W. Couch III Biomedical Research 
Building that is home to top researchers involved in genetics, 
genomics, and regenerative biology. In addition, one of his projects 
that has arguably made the biggest impact in St. Louis and is playing 
an important role in cancer research is the development of the Alvin J. 
Siteman Cancer Center. His focus on capital improvements to enhance the 
quality of learning and research, as well as hiring the best leadership 
to oversee the faculty, doctors, and researchers at the Washington 
University School of Medicine, have led to pivotal results in the areas 
of treating, researching, and developing new approaches to dealing with 
diseases, such as cancer and Alzheimer's. His comprehensive vision for 
the best talent to work in top-quality facilities has pioneered the way 
for better approaches to personalized medicine and lifesaving treatment 
making a significant contribution to addressing many of the complicated 
diseases facing patients and the families that love them.
  In addition to medical care and research, Chancellor Wrighton had a 
vision for contributing to the entrepreneurial climate in St. Louis and 
supporting the St. Louis community. There have been many positive local 
impacts made by Washington University, but an important commitment 
Chancellor Wrighton supported as an original collaborator was to launch 
Cortex. Cortex is the St. Louis home to the region's largest innovation 
campus for bioscience and technology startups and companies. Chancellor 
Wrighton's early and continued support of enterprises such as Cortex 
and other collaborations, like the Donald Danforth Plant Science 
Center, demonstrate his commitment to support local economic growth and 
enhance job creation.
  Over the years Chancellor Wrighton has been an instrumental leader 
not just in the St. Louis region but across the country. He is not only 
known for being one of the best in the field of chemistry, which is 
where he started his career, but for being the best in educating our 
next generation of students, researchers, and citizens to be 
productive, engaged, and to make a difference.
  Chancellor Wrighton has led Washington University in St. Louis with 
great integrity. He has been a valuable partner to the St. Louis 
community. He has been and I am sure will continue to be an important 
adviser to me and to those that will seek his expertise to help address 
the many issues facing our region, State, and country. He has laid the 
groundwork for his successor to continue to enhance the quality 
education Washington University in St. Louis has been recognized for 
over the past several decades.
  We thank him for his years of commitment to the University and to the 
St. Louis region.

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