[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 18]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 24096-24097]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




        A TRIBUTE TO DR. JOHN LA MONTAGNE--A TRUE PUBLIC SERVANT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. FRED UPTON

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 17, 2004

  Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to John La 
Montagne, Ph.D., Deputy Director of the National Institute of Allergy 
and Infectious Diseases, who died suddenly on November 2, 2004. He was 
a true public servant who worked tirelessly to improve public health in 
the United States and across the world. He is sorely missed in the 
public health community, by Elaine, his beloved wife of 37 years, his 
family, and the many persons in his community who were blessed to be 
able to call him friend and know his warmth, compassion for others, 
humor, and quiet modesty and dignity.
  Dr. La Montagne's contributions to the national and international 
effort against infectious diseases are remarkable. Trained as a 
microbiologist, Dr. La Montagne was a leader in the effort to develop a 
safer pertussis vaccine and new vaccines against childhood diarrhea and 
pneumonia. He guided the National Institute on Allergy and Infectious 
Disease's response to the emerging AIDS crisis and led the effort to 
respond to severe respiratory syndrome within months of the first 
outbreak.
  Globally, he played a central role in the organization of the 
Multilateral Initiative on Malaria. He served as a member of the 
Scientific Advisory Groups of Experts on Vaccines and Biologicals as 
well as for Vaccines and Immunization for the World Health 
Organization. He chaired the WHO Task Force on Strategic Planning for 
the Children's Vaccine Initiative, advised the Pan American Health 
Organization on its programs in vaccine research implementation, and 
served as a member of the board of the Global Alliance for Tuberculosis 
Drug Development.
  As an influential contributor to the field of infectious diseases, 
Dr. La Montagne delivered

[[Page 24097]]

many major lectures all over the world. He received many prestigious 
awards for his scientific accomplishments, including the Public Health 
Service Special Recognition Award for leadership in childhood vaccine 
research programs, the Surgeon General's Certificate of Appreciation, 
the Presidential Meritorious Executive Rank Award, the Distinguished 
Executive Award for his work in the areas of infectious diseases 
research of global health relevance, the Secretary's Award for 
Distinguished Service for leadership of acellular pertussis vaccine 
trials, and most recently the Secretary's Award for Distinguished 
Service for design and implementation of critically important 
biodefense strategies.
  As Dr. Zerhouni, the Director the National Institutes of Health said, 
``Personally, he was a dear friend and one of the finest people I have 
ever known. Professionally, in an NIH career spanning nearly thirty 
years, his leadership and commitment to improving global health were 
remarkable. His generosity, wit, even-handedness and kindness made him 
a friend to all who knew him. He will be sorely missed.''
  On November 2nd, our country and the world lost a great and good man.

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