[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Page 12118]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                ENDOCRINE SOCIETY CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY

  Mr. MARKEY. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize and congratulate 
the Endocrine Society in honor of its Centennial anniversary this year.
  Founded in 1916, the Endocrine Society is the world's oldest and 
largest professional society for endocrinologists and endocrine 
scientists, who focus their efforts on understanding and caring for the 
large interconnected system of glands in our bodies that produce 
hormones needed for the daily function of our bodies. These physicians 
and researchers are at the core of solving the most pressing health 
problems of our time--from diabetes and obesity, to infertility, bone 
health, and hormone-related cancers.
  Throughout this year, the Endocrine Society is celebrating its 100th 
anniversary by focusing on endocrinology's past contributions to 
science and public health, while keeping an eye on today's promising 
research, which will lead to the discoveries of tomorrow. I am very 
pleased that this included holding its annual meeting and expo in 
Boston which drew thousands of endocrinologists from around the globe 
to Massachusetts. I am also pleased to note that this year the 
president of the Endocrine Society is Dr. Henry Kronenberg, chief of 
the endocrine unit at Massachusetts General Hospital, and Professor of 
Medicine at Harvard Medical School in Boston, MA.
  Over the Endocrine Society's past 100 years, there have been 
remarkable discoveries and advances in biomedical research, but there 
is still much to learn. Thankfully, advances in endocrine research are 
accelerating. Today, thanks in part to funding from the National 
Institutes of Health, we have many doctors and scientists working to 
create fascinating tools to improve human health.
  As one example, the bionic pancreas, developed by Dr. Ed Damiano, a 
professor of biomedical engineering at Boston University, completely 
automates the process of tracking and adjusting blood sugar. This 
device does not cure diabetes, but it battles its greatest threat: the 
dramatic fluctuations in blood sugar that cause significant side 
effects and even death.
  I am truly appreciative of the accomplishments of endocrinologists 
and endocrine researchers--many who work, study, and practice in 
Massachusetts--over the past 100 years, and I am excited about the 
future of this field and better understanding how our environment 
impacts the way in which our hormones function and contribute to 
disease.
  I offer sincere congratulations to the Endocrine Society on their 
100th anniversary, and I look forward to seeing future advancements in 
the field that lead to women and men living longer, healthier lives.

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