[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 2]
[Senate]
[Page 2113]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     CONFIRMATION OF ROBERT CALIFF

  Mr. GRAHAM. Mr. President, I ask my colleagues to join me in 
congratulating Dr. Robert Califf on his confirmation today as Food and 
Drug Administration, FDA, Commissioner. Dr. Califf is a well-respected 
cardiologist that hails from Anderson, SC,--very close to where I grew 
up. He has served our country and its medical needs in a variety of 
capacities. As a faculty member and professor at Duke University, he 
founded the Duke Clinical Research Institute and served as vice 
chancellor for clinical research. In addition to his accomplishments 
during his tenure at Duke, he is an active member of several 
professional organizations, including committees of the Institute of 
Medicine of the National Academies and the FDA.
  In 2015, Dr. Califf was named Deputy Commissioner for Medical 
Products and Tobacco for the FDA. In this role, Dr. Califf is 
responsible for overseeing and directing the Center for Drug Evaluation 
and Research, the Center for Devices and Radiological Health, and the 
Center for Tobacco Products. He also oversees the Office of Special 
Medical Programs.
  The broad bipartisan support for Dr. Califf's nomination is testament 
to his strong, transparent leadership and record of advancing medical 
breakthroughs. The FDA has been operating without a confirmed 
Commissioner for the past year, and I applaud the Senate's confirmation 
of Dr. Califf. I look forward to working with Dr. Califf as he brings 
his expertise to addressing challenges facing the FDA and our Nation.

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