[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 87 (Wednesday, May 19, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E553]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING DOCTOR STEPHEN PLYMATE AS THE RECIPIENT OF THE 2020 WILLIAM S. 
                            MIDDLETON AWARD

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                            HON. ADAM SMITH

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 19, 2021

  Mr. SMITH of Washington. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Doctor 
Stephen Plymate on being the 2020 recipient of the William S. Middleton 
Award for outstanding scientific contributions and achievements in the 
areas of biomedical and bio-behavioral research relevant to the 
healthcare of Veterans. This prestigious award is the highest honor 
given by the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) Biomedical Laboratory 
Research and Development Service.
  Doctor Plymate, a veteran himself, is an endocrinologist at the VA 
Puget Sound Health Care System and associate director of the Geriatric 
Research Education and Clinical Center. He is credited with scientific 
breakthroughs that identified the biological mechanism underlying 
lethal, castration-resistant prostate cancer. Prostate cancer cells can 
become resistant to a common form of treatment and Doctor Plymate's 
discovery identified why traditional therapies have failed and spurred 
innovation for newer, potentially more effective therapies.
  Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among Veterans, 
and over 500,000 known Veterans are currently battling this disease. 
Doctor Plymate's research will save the lives of countless Veterans and 
civilians alike. Once again, the Puget Sound VA has recruited the 
brightest and produced research that will revolutionize medicine.
  Madam Speaker, it is my privilege to recognize Doctor Stephen 
Plymate's on his groundbreaking research and being the well-deserved 
recipient of the 2020 Middleton Award.

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