119-sres215

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 215 Introduced in Senate

    (IS) ]

<DOC>

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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