[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 14]
[Senate]
[Page 19924]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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  SENATE RESOLUTION 669--RECOGNIZING THE EFFORTS AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF 
          OUTSTANDING HISPANIC SCIENTISTS IN THE UNITED STATES

  Mr. MARTINEZ (for himself, Mr. Nelson of Florida, and Mr. Salazar) 
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation:

                              S. Res. 669

       Whereas the purpose of the National Hispanic Scientist of 
     the Year Award is to recognize outstanding Hispanic 
     scientists in the United States who promote a greater public 
     understanding of science and motivate Hispanic youth to 
     develop an interest in science;
       Whereas the 8th annual National Hispanic Scientist of the 
     Year Gala will be held at the Museum of Science and Industry 
     in Tampa, Florida, on Saturday, October 11, 2008;
       Whereas proceeds from the National Hispanic Scientist of 
     the Year Gala support scholarships for Hispanic boys and 
     girls to participate in the Youth Enriched by Science Program 
     of the Museum of Science and Industry, known as the ``YES! 
     Team'';
       Whereas a need to acknowledge the work and effort of 
     outstanding Hispanic scientists in the United States has led 
     to the selection of Dr. Lydia Villa-Komaroff as the honoree 
     of the 8th annual National Hispanic Scientist of the Year 
     Award;
       Whereas Dr. Villa-Komaroff is an internationally recognized 
     molecular biologist who is deeply committed to the 
     recruitment and retention of minorities in science;
       Whereas Dr. Villa-Komaroff currently serves as Chief 
     Executive Officer of Cytonome, Inc., a company building the 
     first optical cell sorter capable of supporting rapid, 
     sterile sorting of human cells for therapeutic use; and
       Whereas Dr. Villa-Komaroff was a key member of the research 
     team that first demonstrated that bacterial cells produce 
     insulin and her varied and active professional life includes 
     research positions at the Massachusetts Institute of 
     Technology, Harvard University, and the University of 
     Massachusetts Medical Center: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) recognizes efforts to educate, support, and provide 
     hope for the Hispanic community, including efforts--
       (A) to honor outstanding Hispanic scientists in the United 
     States at the annual National Hispanic Scientist of the Year 
     Gala; and
       (B) to motivate Hispanic youth to study science through 
     ``Meet the Hispanic Scientist Day'', an opportunity for 
     Hispanic youth to meet the honoree of the National Hispanic 
     Scientist of the Year Award; and
       (2) congratulates the 2008 National Hispanic Scientist of 
     the Year designated by the Museum of Science and Industry, 
     for ongoing dedication to improving the quality of, and 
     access to, science and engineering research and education.

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