[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 215 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. RES. 215
Expressing support for the designation of the week of May 12, 2025,
through May 16, 2025, as ``Veterans Affairs Research Week'' to
celebrate the research, innovation, and significant contributions of
the Department of Veterans Affairs to improving the lives of countless
veterans, people in the United States, and individuals around the
world.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
May 12, 2025
Ms. Duckworth (for herself, Mrs. Murray, and Mr. Blumenthal) submitted
the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on
Veterans' Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Expressing support for the designation of the week of May 12, 2025,
through May 16, 2025, as ``Veterans Affairs Research Week'' to
celebrate the research, innovation, and significant contributions of
the Department of Veterans Affairs to improving the lives of countless
veterans, people in the United States, and individuals around the
world.
Whereas, in 1925, the Veterans' Bureau, the predecessor to the Department of
Veterans Affairs (referred to in this preamble as the ``VA''),
established the Medical Research Section, marking 2025 as the 100-year
anniversary of VA research;
Whereas Dr. Philip B. Matz served as the first Research Chief of the Veterans'
Bureau, advocating for hospital-based research directly related to
improving the clinical conditions of veterans;
Whereas, in 1925, a system of diagnostic clinics with links to outside
consultants was established by the Veterans' Bureau, evidencing the long
connection that VA research has had to industry and innovation;
Whereas VA-affiliated nonprofit research and education corporations play a
critical role in facilitating collaborations between VA research and
industry, enabling VA investigators to participate in public-private
partnerships to amplify their groundbreaking research efforts;
Whereas, in 1933, the Tumor Research Laboratory at the Hines Veteran Affairs
Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois, became the first research
laboratory to receive designated funds from the VA Central Office,
leading to Dr. Robert Schrek identifying the connection between sun
exposure and skin cancer;
Whereas VA research has led to medical breakthroughs and lifesaving procedures
used by veterans and non-veterans across the United States and around
the world, including the development of the concept of computed
tomography scanning, the first effective treatments for tuberculosis,
development of an implantable cardiac pacemaker, the first large
clinical trials of hearing aids, the first successful transplantation of
a liver, and many others;
Whereas research on Gila monster metabolism at the Bronx VA Medical Center
created breakthroughs leading to the development of GLP-1 agonist
medications, which is broadly considered 1 of the most consequential
health advances of the 21st century;
Whereas VA research in the field of mental health and the 10 Mental Illness
Research, Education and Clinical Centers of the VA have revolutionized
the treatment of several mental, behavioral, and neuropsychological
conditions, including leading research in fields like post-traumatic
stress, substance use, major depressive disorder, serious mental
illness, and many others;
Whereas VA research facilities across the United States employ thousands of top-
tier researchers and innovators who, as of 2024, conduct over 7,000
active research projects in numerous disciplines;
Whereas VA Puget Sound and their nonprofit affiliate, the Seattle Institute for
Biomedical and Clinical Research, has been a nationally renowned
research facility for over 75 years, housing over 750 continuing
research projects in 2024 in numerous disciplines;
Whereas the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine has been awarded to VA
researchers, including Dr. Andrew Schally, Dr. Rosalyn Yalow, and Dr.
Ferid Murad, for their vital contributions to scientific knowledge;
Whereas, in 2025, during the 100-year anniversary of VA Research, the VA Office
of Research and Development is recognizing researchers for their
scholarly excellence and commitment to improving the lives of Veterans,
including--
(1) Dr. Jean Beckham, VA Durham Health Care System;
(2) Dr. Robert Clark, South Texas Veterans Health Care System in San
Antonio, TX;
(3) Dr. Daniel Hall, VA Pittsburgh Health Care System;
(4) Dr. Robert Kirsch, Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center;
(5) Dr. Vincent Marconi, Joseph Maxwell Cleland Atlanta VA Medical
Center; and
(6) Dr. Arlan Richardson, Oklahoma City VA Health Care System; and
Whereas May 12, 2025, through May 16, 2025, is the appropriate week to celebrate
100 years of VA research through ``Veteran Affairs Research Week'': Now,
therefore be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) honors and celebrates the 100-year anniversary of
Department of Veterans Affairs (referred to in this resolution
as the ``VA'') research, representing a century of lifesaving
and cutting-edge research conducted by the VA which improves
the lives of veterans, people in the United States, and
individuals around the world;
(2) applauds the spirit of inquiry and commitment to
scientific excellence of VA researchers and their affiliates,
who ensure that veterans receive the most up-to-date, effective
care and maintain the leadership and competitiveness of the
United States in scientific research and healthcare;
(3) recognizes the critical importance of supporting VA
research through robust funding, public support, and Federal
cooperation;
(4) acknowledges that VA research facilities and their
affiliates contribute significantly to the economies of their
local communities; and
(5) supports the designation of the week of May 12, 2025,
through May 16, 2025, as ``Veteran Affairs Research Week''.
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