[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 201 (Friday, December 23, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1352]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             RECOGNIZING THE WORK OF COLONEL PETER J. WEINA

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, December 23, 2022

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize Colonel Peter J. 
Weina, PhD, MD, FACP, FIDSA upon his retirement from the Office of 
Research Protections at the Defense Health Agency. Colonel Weina has 
served for 45 years in various federal capacities, and his dedicated 
service will be sorely missed.
  Colonel Weina joined the United States Army right out of high school 
and completed both a bachelor's and a master's degree in zoology at the 
University of Wisconsin Madison. As a second lieutenant, he completed a 
Ph.D. in pathology and parasitology, also at UW Madison. After four 
years at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR), he entered 
medical school at the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences. 
Mr. Weirla then completed an internship and residency in internal 
medicine at Tripler Army Medical Center and a fellowship in infectious 
diseases at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
  Colonel Weina, a board-certified doctor in both internal medicine and 
infectious diseases, also holds a Certificate of Knowledge in clinical 
tropical medicine and travelers' health. From his time as Chief of 
Pharmacology at WRAIR and subsequently as Director of Viral Diseases, 
to his fellowships with the American College of Physicians and the 
Infectious Diseases Society of America, Colonel Weina has proven 
himself a competent leader and a measured presence in the medical 
field.
  Over his illustrious career, Colonel Weina has published over 70 
articles in peer-reviewed journals, five chapters in books, and two 
books of his own. He has worked to expand the availability and 
licensure of intravenous Artesunate, the first new anti-malarial drug 
since the advent of quinine over 300 years ago. In 2020, this life-
saving treatment was licensed by the Food and Drug Administration.
  Colonel Weina formerly headed the only College of American 
Pathologists-accredited leishmania diagnostics laboratory in the world. 
He has received numerous awards for his work, including the Federal CDC 
Silo Buster's Collaborative Award of Excellence in 2008, the Colonel 
George W. Hunter III Certificate in 2011, and the Bronze Star for 
Service. Colonel Weina's accolades extend far beyond these, as many 
have recognized his courage, passion, and dedication to bettering his 
community. He has combined the opportunity to serve his country with 
the chance to advance our medical knowledge and capabilities, and our 
nation is better off for his efforts.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating 
Colonal Peter J. Weina for his 45 years of service to the United 
States. His contributions to our Nation are innumerable and his impact 
has been felt by countless Americans. He has been an inspiration and a 
mentor to the next generation of health professionals, and I wish him 
the best in his retirement and may happiness and success find him in 
all future endeavors.

                          ____________________