July 13, 2020 - Issue: Vol. 166, No. 125 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 2nd Session

[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E627]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      TRIBUTE TO HONOR THE LIFE OF WILLIAM C. DEMENT, M.D., PH.D.

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ANNA G. ESHOO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 13, 2020

  Ms. ESHOO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Dr. 
William C. Dement, a distinguished Stanford scientist and professor who 
died on June 17, 2020, at the age of 91.
  Known as ``The Father of Sleep Medicine'', Dr. Dement made 
unparalleled contributions to the field of sleep medicine. Dr. Dement's 
contributions to sleep research include the association of REM sleep 
with dreaming; the neuropharmacology of sleep; the quantification and 
causes of daytime sleepiness; the pathophysiology and genetics of 
narcolepsy; the assessment of jet lag and other circadian disorders; 
the behavioral and cardiovascular impact of sleep apnea; and 
pharmacotherapy for insomnia.
  Dr. Dement was an ardent supporter of insurance coverage for sleep 
analysis and treatment, and advocated widely and effectively about the 
dangers of sleep deprivation and need for sufficient sleep for 
students, drivers and others, and he had a deep impact on the lives of 
the Stanford University students who enrolled in his iconic Sleep and 
Dreams course.
  Dr. Dement founded the Stanford Sleep Disorders Clinic and helped to 
establish the professional society that is now the American Academy of 
Sleep Medicine, and additional professional organizations such as the 
Sleep Research Society. He was often seen on Capitol Hill in his role 
as Chairman of the National Commission on Sleep Disorders Research. The 
cornerstone recommendation of the National Commission was the 
establishment of the National Center on Sleep Disorders Research, and 
in 1993, during the reauthorization bill for the National Institutes of 
Health, Congress followed through with the statutory establishment of 
the National Center on Sleep Disorders Research at NIH's National 
Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.
  Madam Speaker, I consider myself fortunate to be among those who knew 
Dr. Dement and benefited from his wise counsel and his warm friendship. 
I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the life and 
contributions of Dr. William C. Dement and in extending our sincere 
condolences to his two daughters, Elizabeth and Catherine, his son 
Nick, his son-in-law Gary, and six grandchildren. Dr. Dement bettered 
our community and strengthened our country by a life lived well and 
with high purpose for so many.

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