Alex Philippidis Senior News Editor Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News
These 10 Representatives and 10 Senators Are This Year’s All Stars in Supporting Research Funding
With the $2 billion boost in NIH’s budget approved last December as part of a budget deal for the current federal fiscal year—and more importantly, with talk of another significant boost in the agency’s budget in FY2017—support for basic science research is one of the few areas that appear to transcend the hyper-partisanship that marks much of Congress’ work these days.
But it’s one thing for representatives and senators to offer words on backing basic science with big bucks. That has been increasingly the case since the 2013 federal government shutdown wrought by across-the-board spending cuts or sequestration. However, some members of Congress have proven at least as capable of matching those words with deeds as well.
Those members are the 10 representatives and 10 senators who appear on this year’s members of the GEN Congressional Hall of Fame based on their support of federal spending for research in biopharma and/or all sciences. The Hall of Fame measures that support in part through awards by groups that champion greater research spending, including industry groups, umbrella organizations focused on research advocacy, disease-based advocacy groups, and groups based outside biopharma who recognize senators and representatives for their broad overall support for research funding for all sciences.
This year’s Hall of Fame list adds a new wrinkle in measuring that support—namely participation as members or co-chairs in caucuses focused on addressing funding for biomedical research—whether in and of itself, or as part of a commitment to broader science research, or through a focus on a specific disease or class of diseases.
In a few instances, the list includes other examples of recognition, such as public praise by an institution. The list of awards and honors was compiled through online searches of the members’ biographies, as well as of announcements on organizations’ web pages, lists of past winners maintained by the organizations, and membership lists published online by the caucuses. As with GEN’s first such list in 2013, and its previous Congressional Hall of Fame last year, this list does not purport to be an exhaustive list of such honors and awards.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Rep. Gus Bilirakis
R-FL
House Congenital Heart Caucus, founder and chairman
Bipartisan Congressional Caucus on Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases, member
Bipartisan Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer's Disease, member
Congressional Arthritis Caucus, member
Congressional Caucus on Parkinson’s Disease, member
Congressional Childhood Cancer Caucus, member
Congressional Caucus on Diabetes, member
Congressional Mitochondrial Disease Caucus, member
Rare Disease Congressional Caucus, member
TB Elimination Caucus, member
Rare Disease Legislative Advocates, Congressional Leadership Award, 2015
Rep. Michael C. Burgess, M.D.
R-TX
Bipartisan Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer’s Disease, House co-chair
Congressional Arthritis Caucus, member
Congressional Caucus on the Deadliest Cancers, member
Congressional Caucus on Parkinson’s Disease, member
Congressional Crohn’s and Colitis Caucus, member
Congressional Caucus on Diabetes, member
Congressional Research and Development Caucus, member
Rare Disease Congressional Caucus, member
Parkinson’s Action Network (since integrated into The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research), Morris K. Udall Award for Public Service, 2015
Rare Disease Legislative Advocates, Congressional Leadership Award, 2013
Alzheimer’s Association, Humanitarian Award, 2012
Digestive Disease National Coalition, Distinguished Public Service Award, 2012
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) Coalition, Congressional Champion Award, 2011
Rep. Diana DeGette
D-CO
Congressional Caucus on Diabetes, co-chair
Congressional Caucus on Parkinson’s Disease, member
Congressional COPD Caucus, member
Congressional Research and Development Caucus, member
Alliance for Biosecurity, Congressional Biosecurity Champion Award, 2016
American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB), Howard K. Schachman Public Service Award, 2016
National Multiple Sclerosis Society, 2015 U.S. Representative of the Year, 2016
Prevent Cancer Foundation, Cancer Champion, 2016
Tracy’s Kids, Courage Award, 2016
Alliance for Aging Research, Claude Pepper Award for Advancing Healthy Aging, 2015
Association of American Cancer Institutes (AACI), Champion for Cures Award, 2015
Hemophilia Federation of America (HFA), Champion Award, 2015
Parkinson’s Action Network (since integrated into The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research), Morris K. Udall Award for Public Service, 2015
Rare Disease Legislative Advocates, Congressional Leadership Award, 2015
Research!America, Edwin C. Whitehead Award for Medical Research Advocacy, 2015
American Society of Hematology (ASH), Public Service Award, 2013
Cancer Leadership Award, presented jointly by American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), AACI, Friends of Cancer Research, and the Oncology Nursing Society, 2012
Rep. Rosa DeLauro
D-CT
Bipartisan Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer’s Disease, Senate co-chair
Congressional Biomedical Research Caucus, member
Congressional Caucus on Parkinson’s Disease, member
Congressional Caucus on Diabetes, member
Congressional Ovarian Cancer Caucus, co-founder
ASBMB, Howard K. Schachman Public Service Award, 2015
Ovarian Cancer National Alliance, Visionary Empowerment award, 2015
One Voice Against Cancer (OVAC), Congressional Cancer Champion Award, 2014
Peggy Lillis Foundation, Lifetime Achievement Award, 2014
American Association for Cancer Research, invited to address Rally for Medical Research, 2013
American Association of Immunologists, Public Service Award, 2013
ASCO, AACR, AACI, and Friends of Cancer Research, honoree for continued commitment to and leadership in funding for cancer research and biomedical science, 2013
American Psychological Association, Congressional Champion Award, 2012
American Public Health Association, Distinguished Legislator of the Year, 2012
The Science Coalition, Champion of Science, 2012
United for Medical Research (UMR), Profile of Promise, 2011
Rep. Anna Eshoo
D-CA
Congressional Arthritis Caucus, co-chair
Congressional Caucus on the Deadliest Cancers, co-chair
Bicameral Congressional Caucus on Parkinson’s Disease, member
Bipartisan Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer’s Disease, member
Congressional Biomedical Research Caucus, member
Congressional Caucus on Diabetes, member
Rare Disease Congressional Caucus, member
Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, Congressional Champion of Hope Award, 2013
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) Coalition, Congressional Champion Award, 2011
Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO), Legislator of the Year, 2010
California Healthcare Institute (now merged into California Life Sciences Association), Champion for
Rep. David McKinley
R-WV
Congressional Arthritis Caucus, co-chair
Congressional Biomedical Research Caucus, member
Congressional Caucus on the Deadliest Cancers, member
Congressional Caucus on Diabetes, member
Rare Disease Congressional Caucus, member
Science, Engineering and Technology Work Group (SETWG), George E. Brown Jr. Science, Engineering and Technology Leadership Award, 2016
AACR, co-host and supporter of briefing “Saving Lives in the New Era of Precision Medicine,” held to stimulate additional support for President Obama’s Precision Medicine Initiative, 2015
AACR, Distinguished Public Service Award, 2014
American College of Rheumatology, Award for Leaders in Rheumatology, 2014
Arthritis Foundation, Advocacy Leadership Award, 2014
HFA, Champion Award, 2014
Immune Deficiency Foundation, Public Policy Award, 2014
National Hemophilia Foundation, Dr. L. Michael Kuhn Award, 2014
Lupus Foundation of America, Distinguished Leadership Award, 2013
Patient Services Inc., Award for commitment and leadership to health policy issues that have helped patients, 2013
Rare Disease Legislative Advocates, Congressional Leadership Award, 2013
Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers
R-WA
Congressional Neuroscience Caucus, co-chair
Congressional Task Force on Down Syndrome, co-chair
Down Syndrome Caucus, co-chair
Bipartisan Congressional Caucus on Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases, member
Congressional Arthritis Caucus, member
Congressional Caucus on Diabetes, member
United Spinal Association, Junius A. Kellogg Outstanding Congressional Leadership Award, 2014
Global Down Syndrome Foundation, Quincy Jones Exceptional Advocacy Award, 2013
National Multiple Sclerosis Society, 2012 U.S. Representative of the Year, 2013
American Psychological Association, Congressional Champion Award, 2012
Rep. David Price
D-NC
Bipartisan Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer’s Disease, member
Congressional Arthritis Caucus, member
Congressional Biomedical Research Caucus, member
Congressional Caucus on the Deadliest Cancers, member
Congressional Caucus on Diabetes, member
Congressional Caucus on Parkinson’s Disease, member
Congressional Childhood Cancer Caucus, member
Congressional COPD Caucus, member
Congressional Crohn’s and Colitis Caucus, member
Congressional Heart and Stroke Coalition, member
TB Elimination Caucus, member
BIO, Legislator of the Year, 2011
Rep. Fred Upton
R-MI
Bipartisan Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer’s Disease, member
Congressional Biomedical Research Caucus, member
Congressional Caucus on Diabetes, member
Congressional Caucus on Parkinson’s Disease, member
Congressional Childhood Cancer Caucus, member
Rare Disease Congressional Caucus, member
ASBMB, Howard K. Schachman Public Service Award, 2016
Prevent Cancer Foundation, Cancer Champion, 2016
Tracy’s Kids, Courage Award, 2016
AACI, Champion for Cures Award, 2015
HFA, Champion Award, 2015
Parkinson’s Action Network (since integrated into The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research), Morris K. Udall Award for Public Service, 2015
Rare Disease Legislative Advocates, Lifetime Achievement Award, 2015
Research!America, Edwin C. Whitehead Award for Medical Research Advocacy, 2015
National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD), Public Health Leadership Award, 2014
Society of Toxicology, Congressional Science Leadership Award, 2014
Alliance for Aging Research, Distinguished Public Service Award, 2012
California Healthcare Institute (now merged into California Life Sciences Association), Chairman’s Award, 2012
BIO, Legislator of the Year, 2011
Rep. Chris Van Hollen
D-MD
Congressional Childhood Cancer Caucus, co-chair
Congressional Task Force on Down Syndrome, co-chair
Bipartisan Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer’s Disease, member
Congressional Arthritis Caucus, member
Congressional Biomedical Research Caucus, member
Congressional Caucus on the Deadliest Cancers, member
Congressional Caucus on Diabetes, member
Congressional Caucus on Parkinson’s Disease, member
Congressional COPD Caucus, member
Congressional Crohn’s and Colitis Caucus, member
Congressional Heart and Stroke Coalition, member
Congressional Lung Cancer Caucus, member
Congressional Research and Development Caucus, member
Rare Disease Congressional Caucus, member
TB Elimination Caucus, member
American College of Cardiology, Legislator of the Year, 2014
Alliance for Regenerative Medicine, Legislator of the Year, 2013
Global Down Syndrome Foundation, Quincy Jones Exceptional Advocacy Award, 2013
American Association of Immunologists, Public Service Award, 2011
Parkinson’s Action Network (since integrated into The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research), Morris K. Udall Award for Public Service, 2011
SENATE
Sen. Sherrod Brown
D-OH
Bipartisan Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer’s Disease, member
Bipartisan Senate Caucus on Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases, member
Congressional Caucus on Parkinson’s Disease, member
OVAC, Congressional Cancer Champion Award, 2015
American Cancer Society, Cancer Action Network, National Distinguished Advocacy Award, 2014
NORD, Public Health Leadership Award, 2014
AACR, Distinguished Public Service Award, 2012
ASCO, Public Service Award, 2011
Sen. Richard Burr
R-NC
Congressional Biomedical Research Caucus, member
Congressional Heart and Stroke Coalition, member
National Kidney Foundation, honoree at Congressional Dinner, 2016
AACI, honored for support of cancer research, 2015
Research!America, Edwin C. Whitehead Award for Medical Research Advocacy, 2013
National Down Syndrome Society, Champion of Change, 2013
ASBMB, Howard K. Schachman Public Service Award, 2012
Sen. Bob Casey
D-PA
Congressional Task Force on Down Syndrome, co-chair
AACR, Distinguished Public Service Award, 2015
NORD, Public Health Leadership Award, 2015
Research!America Edwin C. Whitehead Award for Medical Research Advocacy, 2013
ASBMB, Howard K. Schachman Public Service Award, 2012
National Multiple Sclerosis Society, 2011 U.S. Senator of the Year, 2012
BIO, Legislator of the Year, 2011
UMR, Profile of Promise, 2011
ASH, Public Service Award, 2011
Sen. Susan Collins
R-ME
Bipartisan Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer’s Disease, Senate co-chair
Congressional COPD Caucus, member
Congressional Heart and Stroke Coalition, member
American Association of Diabetes Educators, Legislative Champion Award, 2014
Alzheimer’s Association, Humanitarian Award, 2011
American Diabetes Association, 2010 Distinguished Leadership in Diabetes Policy Award, 2011
Sen. Mike Crapo
R-ID
Congressional COPD Caucus, co-chair
Congressional Caucus on Parkinson’s Disease, member
Congressional Heart and Stroke Coalition, co-chair
Alzheimer's Association, Humanitarian Award, 2015
Prevent Cancer Foundation, Cancer Champion, 2015
Kidney Care Partners, public praise for co-sponsoring the “The Chronic Kidney Disease Improvement in Research and Treatment Act” (S. 598), 2015
U.S. COPD Coalition, Congressional Recognition, 2011
Sen. Richard J. Durbin
D-IL
Congressional COPD Caucus, co-chair
Congressional Heart and Stroke Coalition, co-chair
Bipartisan Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer’s Disease, member
Bipartisan Senate Caucus on Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases, member
Congressional Biomedical Research Caucus, member
National Kidney Foundation, honoree at Congressional Dinner, 2015
The Science Coalition, Champion of Science, 2015
AACI, Distinguished Public Service Award, 2014
American Association of Immunologists, Public Service Award, 2013
UMR, public praise for introducing amendment to raise NIH funding in FY 2014 Budget Resolution, 2013
Research!America, Edwin C. Whitehead Award for Medical Research Advocacy, 2011
Sen. Orrin Hatch
R-UT
Rare Disease Congressional Caucus, Senate co-chair
Bipartisan Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer’s Disease, member
Congressional Heart and Stroke Coalition, member
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Legislative Champion Award, 2016
NORD, Public Health Leadership Award, 2016
BioUtah, Public Service Award, 2013
Utah Technology Leaders For Senator Hatch, endorsement, 2012
Friends of Cancer Research, Congressional Leadership Award, 2011
Sen. Edward Markey
D-MA
Bipartisan Alzheimer’s Task Force, founder and co-chair
Senate Cystic Fibrosis Caucus, co-founder
Congressional Cystic Fibrosis Caucus, co-founder
Bipartisan Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer’s Disease, Senate co-chair
Congressional Biomedical Research Caucus, member
Congressional Caucus on Parkinson’s Disease, member
Alzheimer’s Association, Humanitarian Award, 2015
National Foundation for Cancer Research, Szent-Györgyi Prize Keynote Speaker, 2015
Association of Independent Research Institutes, Public Service Award, 2013
The Science Coalition, Champion of Science, 2012
AACR, ASCO, AACI, and Friends of Cancer Research, award for “longstanding commitment to biomedical research and the National Institutes of Health,” 2011
Sen. Barbara Mikulski
D-MD
Bipartisan Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer’s Disease, member
Bipartisan Senate Caucus on Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases, member
Congressional Heart and Stroke Coalition, member
AACI, honored for support of cancer research, 2015
ASH, Public Service Award, 2014
UMR, public praise for introducing amendment to raise NIH funding in FY 2014 Budget Resolution, 2013
Research!America Edwin C. Whitehead Award for Medical Research Advocacy winner 2012
Cure Alzheimer’s Fund, public praise for resolution urging the U.S. Postal Service to issue a stamp to fund Alzheimer’s disease research at NIH, 2011
Sen. Jerry Moran
R-KS
Congressional Task Force on Down Syndrome, co-chair
Bipartisan Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer’s Disease, member
Congressional Caucus on the Deadliest Cancers, member
Congressional Caucus on Parkinson’s Disease, member
ASBMB, Howard K. Schachman Public Service Award, 2015
Alzheimer’s Association, Humanitarian Award, 2014
Global Down Syndrome Foundation, Quincy Jones Exceptional Advocacy Award, 2014
The Science Coalition, Champion of Science, 2014
Alliance for Aging Research, Distinguished Public Service Award, 2013
UMR, public praise for introducing amendment to raise NIH funding in FY 2014 Budget Resolution, 2013;
AACI, Distinguished Public Service Award, 2012
OVAC, Congressional Cancer Champion Award, 2012
AACR, Distinguished Public Service Award, 2011
