TITLE: Honoring Dr. Barney Graham for his role in developing COVID-19 vaccines.

SUMMARY: Honoring Dr. Barney Graham for his role in developing COVID-19 vaccines.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Dr. Barney Graham has contributed significantly to the development of lifesaving COVID-19 vaccines, and he is indeed deserving of special recognition; and WHEREAS, A graduate of Rice University in 1975, Dr. Graham went on to earn his medical degree at the University of Kansas School of Medicine and to obtain a Ph.D. in microbiology and immunology from the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine; he then joined the faculty at Vanderbilt as a professor of medicine with a joint appointment in the department of microbiology and immunology; in 2000, he became a founding investigator for the Vaccine Research Center at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, and he currently serves as deputy director of the center and chief of the Viral Pathogenesis Laboratory and Translational Science Core; and WHEREAS, Over the course of his career, Dr. Graham has made invaluable advancements in vaccine science; his work on respiratory syncytial virus led to a breakthrough in the understanding of coronaviruses and made possible a rapid response to the COVID-19 pandemic; and WHEREAS, During the race to provide COVID-19 vaccines, Dr. Graham frequently collaborated with his longtime friend and former colleague, Dr. Bill Gruber, who is senior vice president of vaccine clinical research and development at Pfizer; Dr. Graham's laboratory partnered with Moderna to develop a vaccine using a new, gene-based technology, while Dr. Gruber oversaw a similar project at Pfizer; the two communicated regularly to exchange information, and both vaccines were authorized for use by the Food and Drug Administration in late 2020; and WHEREAS, Through his monumental efforts, Barney Graham has helped alleviate suffering and save the lives of innumerable people, and in so doing, he has earned the deep respect and appreciation of all who are privileged to know him; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas Legislature, 2nd Called Session, hereby honor Dr. Barney Graham for his contributions to the development of COVID-19 vaccines and extend to him sincere best wishes for continued success in his important work; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Dr. Graham as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Dominguez Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 159 was adopted by the House on September 2, 2021, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House