[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 10]
[Senate]
[Pages 13664-13665]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO DR. ROBERT LARNER

  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, those who call the Green Mountains home 
know that Vermonters value hard work and community in equal measure. 
The two often go hand in hand when individuals give back to the 
institutions and communities that played roles in their success. Today 
I am honored to recognize both an outstanding individual and an 
exceptional institution for their respective roles in supporting the 
future of medical excellence in Vermont.
  Dr. Robert Larner and his wife, Helen, recently donated $66 million 
in a bequest to the University of Vermont, UVM, medical school, which 
has since been renamed in honor of the 1942 alumnus. The Robert Larner, 
M.D., College of Medicine at the University of Vermont will continue to 
provide a first-class medical education while encouraging 
groundbreaking research in the medical field, from cancer to infectious 
diseases, to neuroscience and beyond.
  Born in Burlington's Old North End in 1918, Robert Larner is the 
youngest of seven children, and the only one among his siblings to go 
to college. He attended the University of Vermont after receiving a 
scholarship for winning a Statewide debate competition and finished his 
undergraduate studies in just 3 years. After completing college in 
1939, he pursued his medical degree at the UVM College of Medicine and 
graduated in 1942. Dr. Larner then served in World War II before 
settling in southern California to establish his own medical practice.
  Though he remained in California for many years, the Vermont native 
credits his home State's flagship university

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for providing the education he needed to succeed. To ensure that future 
generations also receive a similar experience, regardless of personal 
finances, Dr. Larner and his wife have made a number of generous 
contributions to his alma mater. For example, the Larner Scholars 
Program has created a culture of giving by encouraging alumni to 
support current and future medical students. In 2012, the Larners 
contributed $300,000 for the purchase of five cardiopulmonary 
simulators for the UVM/Fletcher Allen Clinical Simulation Laboratory. 
These are just some of the contributions that in 2013 led the 
university to recognize Dr. Larner with the UVM Lifetime Achievement in 
Philanthropy Award.
  It is through the generosity of Vermonters like Dr. and Mrs. Larner 
that ensure bright futures for Vermont's students and the patients they 
ultimately will serve. Combined with the excellent education offered by 
the University of Vermont, the Larners' contributions create 
opportunities for first-class physicians and researchers who will 
undoubtedly go on to transform the medical field.

                          ____________________