[Pages S2864-S2865]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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 SENATE RESOLUTION 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

  Ms. DUCKWORTH (for herself, Mrs. Murray, and Mr. Blumenthal) 
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 
on Veterans' Affairs:

                              S. Res. 215

       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-one agonist medications, which is broadly 
     considered one 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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