IV

105TH CONGRESS

2D SESSION H. CON. RES. 335

Recognizing the 50th anniversary of the National Institute of Allergy and

Infectious Diseases, and for other purposes.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

OCTOBER 7, 1998

Mrs. NORTHUP (for herself and Mr. YOUNG of Florida) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Commerce

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Recognizing the 50th anniversary of the National Institute

of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, and for other purposes.

Whereas November 1998 marks the 50th anniversary of the

establishment of the National Microbiological Institute,

predecessor of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, under authority of section 202 of the

Public Health Service Act;

Whereas the Institute was formed through the combination of

the Rocky Mountain Laboratory, the Biologics Control

Laboratory, and the Divisions of Infectious Diseases and

Tropical Diseases of the National Institutes of Health;

Whereas in 1955 Congress renamed the National Microbiological Institute as the National Institute of Allergy

and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) in recognition of the
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need for a coordinated scientific research program on infectious, allergic, and immunologic diseases;

Whereas the research conducted by the National Institute of

Allergy and Infectious Diseases encompasses infectious

diseases such as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

(AIDS), tuberculosis, sexually transmitted diseases, malaria, and influenza, immunologic diseases (including

asthma, allergies, and primary immune deficiency diseases), transplantation immunology, and the development

of new diagnostic therapies and vaccines for infectious

diseases;

Whereas research supported by the NIAID continues to yield

promising advances, including the development of vaccines against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and

the identification of effective treatment regimens for

childhood asthma;

Whereas the continued threat of emerging and re-emerging

infectious diseases, such as tuberculosis, poses a risk to

health worldwide;

Whereas research supported by the NIAID provides the necessary tools to develop diagnostic tests, new and improved treatments, vaccines, and other means to combat

microbial threats of today and those of the future;

Whereas research supported by the NIAID is making significant progress in understanding the immune system and

its disorders, including the mechanisms of immune tolerance, which refers to the ability of the immune system to

distinguish between cells and tissues that are ‘‘self’’ and

those that are foreign or ‘‘non-self’’, such as a pathogen,

tumor, or transplanted organ;
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Whereas this progress is vital to the field of organ transplantation and may prove useful in treating autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis;

and

Whereas the Congress intends that the National Institute of

Allergy and Infectious Diseases continue its innovative

leadership in delineating pathogenesis, improving diagnosis and treatment, and developing vaccines to prevent

infectious and immunologic diseases, thereby contributing

to the overall health of the American public and the people of the world: Now, therefore, be it

1 Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate

2 concurring), That the Congress—

3 (1) recognizes the historic significance of the

4 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Na5 tional Microbiological Institute, now known as the

6 National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Dis7 eases;

8 (2) recognizes the research scientists, adminis9 trative staff, professional societies, and patient

10 groups of the NIAID for their active participation in

11 support of the research programs and goals of the

12 NIAID; and

13 (3) reaffirms its support of the National Insti14 tute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and of the

15 commitment of the NIAID to advance knowledge

16 and improve health.

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