[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 8]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 10764-10765]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




HONORING THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF DIABETES AND 
                     DIGESTIVE AND KIDNEY DISEASES

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 15, 2010

  Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce a resolution 
with my good friend Mr. Shimkus of Illinois that commemorates the 60th 
anniversary of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and 
Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) and its continuing leadership and achievements 
in conducting and supporting biomedical research to improve health.
  The NIDDK leads the Nation's Federal commitment in research, research 
training, science-based education and health information dissemination 
with respect to diabetes and other endocrine and metabolic diseases, 
digestive and liver diseases, nutritional disorders, obesity, kidney 
disease, urologic diseases, and hematologic diseases.
  The Institute was originally established in 1950 through the Omnibus 
Medical Research Act as the National Institute of Arthritis and 
Metabolic Diseases. The Institute was renamed several times during the 
ensuing decades, and was renamed in 1986 as the National Institute of 
Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
  The chronic and costly disease and disorders within the Institute's 
mission affect millions of Americans, ranging from some of the nation's 
most common diseases and disorders to those which are rarer. The NIDDK 
supports research by extramural scientists at academic and other 
medical research institutions across the nation, in addition to 
research by scientists in the Institute's intramural program. The 
Institute has continually pursued research efforts to benefit all 
individuals burdened by these diseases and disorders: men, women, older 
and younger adults, children, minority populations who are 
disproportionately affected by many of these diseases, and those from 
economically-disadvantaged backgrounds.
  60 years of NIDDK-supported research discoveries have dramatically 
increased vital understanding of the biologic mechanisms and behavioral 
and environmental factors that contribute to health and disease. This 
knowledge has propelled the development of intervention strategies. 
Specifically, this research has lead to the prevention, diagnostic, and 
treatment strategies for individuals who have, or are at risk for, 
diseases and disorders within the Institute's mission, leading to 
remarkable improvements in health and quality of life.
  The NIDDK has also been a leader in research training and mentoring 
efforts, from summer programs for high school and college students with 
special opportunities for underrepresented minorities, to fellowships 
for graduate and medical students and postdoctoral researchers, to 
support for early-career and established investigators, in order to 
ensure that critical biomedical research will continue into the future. 
In addition, the Institute sponsors education and outreach programs to 
improve health by disseminating science-based information to patients 
and their families, those at risk for disease, healthcare 
professionals, and the general public.
  The Institute's research and research strategies have also allowed 
them to be a leader in collaborative and coordinated research efforts 
and science-based education programs to maximize the Federal investment 
in research and synergize expertise across the NIH, with other Federal 
agencies, and with public and private organizations.
  Today, Mr. Shimkus and I introduce a resolution to commemorate 
NIDDK's 60th anniversary and commend NIDDK for its leadership in

[[Page 10765]]

research, research training, and science-based education programs.
  I urge my colleagues to join us in support of this resolution not 
only to commemorate the NIDDK's 60th anniversary, but also to show 
continued support for the Institute in its research, education, and 
discovery efforts of the future.

                          ____________________