[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 151 (Thursday, September 19, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1180-E1181]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING DR. THOMAS K. WEBER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. NITA M. LOWEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 19, 2019

  Mrs. LOWEY. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the life, accomplishments 
and contributions of Dr. Thomas K. Weber of Chappaqua, New York. Dr. 
Weber passed away on September 15, 2019, after a brief, but fierce 
battle with a rare and very aggressive form of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. 
Today would have been his 65th birthday. Dr. Weber was a surgeon, 
researcher and visionary leader in relentless pursuit of the goal to 
save lives from colorectal cancer.
  Dr. Weber served as the Director of Surgical Oncology of the 
Northwest Region, Northwell

[[Page E1181]]

Health and Medical Co-Director of Cancer Genetics at Northern 
Westchester Hospital, Northwell Health. Until 2018 he was a Full 
Academic Professor of Surgery at SUNY Downstate and Surgeon-in-Chief at 
VA New York Harbor Health Care System, Brooklyn, NY.
  Dr. Weber's career includes significant accomplishments in multiple 
arenas including clinical surgical leadership, academic appointments, 
mentoring of young investigators, and international recognition for 
innovation and leadership in cancer prevention and collaborative 
translational cancer research. In addition to his clinical and academic 
appointments he led at least 10 national and international 
organizations, such as the National Colorectal Cancer Round Table, the 
Collaborative Group of the Americas and the NYC Health Department 
sponsored ``Citywide Colorectal Cancer Control Coalition'' (C5).
  Dr. Weber was an early and passionate advocate for addressing the 
early age onset colorectal cancer (EAOCRC) issue. He organized and 
chaired the nation's first Summit focused on EAOCRC and was 
instrumental in the American Cancer Society's 2018 recommendation that 
Americans be screened for colorectal cancer at the age of 45 instead of 
50. He published extensively on hereditary and early age onset 
colorectal cancer and was a frequently invited speaker on both subjects 
at national and international meetings.
  Dr. Weber was a pillar of the colorectal cancer community and has 
been recognized for his philanthropic leadership and contributions. He 
founded New York City's first colon cancer awareness event in 2003, the 
Colon Cancer Challenge, which led to the formation of the Colon Cancer 
Foundation. With Dr. Weber at the helm, the Foundation supported 
research into the causes, potential cures and most effective treatments 
for colorectal cancer. The Foundation has increased public awareness of 
the disease, educated the public about the importance of early 
detection, and advocated on behalf of thousands of colorectal cancer 
patients and their families.
  He has been recognized for his leadership in public health, cancer 
control and research by New York City Health Commissioner Thomas 
Farley, the Health Department of New York State, the AliveAndKickn 
Foundation, the American Cancer Society, the Prevent Cancer Foundation, 
the National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable and the National Institutes 
of Health.
  Year after year, Dr. Weber would travel to Washington to meet with 
lawmakers, including members of my staff and myself, to discuss the 
importance of scientific research funding at the National Institutes of 
Health (NIH), removing barriers to colorectal cancer screening, and 
other priorities in the health care community.
  Dr. Weber leaves behind a remarkable legacy of civic and community 
engagement. Individuals suffering from colorectal cancer and their 
families are better off today because of his work. He is survived by 
his loving wife Clare, sons Luke and Nick, sister Jeannie and her 
husband David Aplin, and family.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my fellow Members of Congress to join me in 
recognizing Dr. Weber's many years of service to the community and in 
sending our sincerest condolences to his family, friends and 
colleagues.

                          ____________________