[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 125 (Thursday, July 20, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E704]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING DR. JAMES PROCHASKA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DONALD NORCROSS

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 20, 2023

  Mr. NORCROSS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. James Prochaska. 
James (Jim) O. Prochaska was an internationally renowned expert on 
behavior change and co-developer of the transtheoretical (stages of 
change) model that revolutionized our prevention and treatment of 
health problems. He died on July 9, 2023, after a special week with 
family and friends on Star Island.
  Born on August 6, 1942, into modest surroundings, Dr. Prochaska 
achieved the American Dream of education, excellence, and service. He 
earned his baccalaureate, master's, and doctorate in clinical 
psychology from Wayne State University. He was a Professor of 
Psychology at the University of Rhode Island from 1969 and founding 
Director of the Cancer Prevention Research Consortium there. Dr. 
Prochaska had over 50 years of psychotherapy experience in a variety of 
settings and consulted to a host of clinical and research 
organizations. He was the principal investigator on grants from the 
National. Institutes of Health totaling over $90 mill ion and was 
recognized by the Association of Psychological Science as one of the 
most cited authors in psychology.
  His 50 book chapters and 300+ scholarly articles focused on self-
change, health promotion, and psychotherapy from a transtheoretical 
perspective, the subject of his professional book, The Transtheoretical 
Approach, and his 2 popular self-help books, Changing for Good and 
Changing to Thrive. An accomplished speaker, he offered workshops and 
keynote addresses throughout the world.
  Among his numerous awards were the Rosalie Weiss Award from the 
American Psychological Association, Innovators Award from the Robert 
Wood Johnson Foundation, Beckham Award for Excellence in Education and 
Inspirational Leadership from Columbia University, and the Fries Health 
Education Award from the Society for Public Health Education.
  He was the first psychologist to win a Medal of Honor for Clinical 
Research from the American Cancer Society and he was recognized as one 
of the top 3 preeminent clinical psychologists of the modern era in the 
Archives of Scientific Psychology.
  Dr. Prochaska's ultimate accomplishments, however, were helping 
millions of people effectively change their behavior and establishing 
his loving family. For decades, Jim made his home in Rhode Island 
before retiring to California with his wife, Jan, so that they could be 
closer to their 2 children (Jason, Judith/Jodi) and their 5 
grandchildren.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you to join me in honoring Dr. James Prochaska.