A joint resolution to designate the day of October 1, 1987, as "National Medical Research Day".
PL 100-126 (S.J.Res.142), enacted 10/08/1987

101 STAT. 798 
PUBLIC LAW 100-126—OCT. 8, 1987 
Public Law 100-126 
100th Congress 
" ' 
Joint Resolution 
Oct. 8, 1987 
[S.J. Res. 142] 
To designate the day of October 1, 1987, as "National Medical Research Day". 
Whereas America's medical research enterprise has been, and will 
continue to be, the acknowledged world leader in promoting 
health and preventing disease and disability; 
Whereas medical research (defined for purposes of this Joint Resolu-
tion as biomedical and behavioral research) continuously contrib-
utes to the discovery of new knowledge that will lead to the 
improved health and well-being of Americans and of all human-
kind; 
Whereas America's medical research enterprise continues to pio-
neer breakthroughs in the detection and treatment of diseases 
and promote the widespread application of these methods and 
technologies to medical practice; 
Whereas medical research has significantly contributed to bringing 
America's death rate to an all-time low and its life expectancy 
rates to all-time highs; 
Whereas America's medical research enterprise has contributed 
enormously to the control and virtual worldwide eradication of 
epidemic diseases such as cholera, smallpox, yellow fever, and 
bubonic plague, and the prevention in this country of childhood 
diseases such as diptheria, polio, tetanus, and pertussis; 
Whereas medical research has successfully produced effective vac-
cines now widely used to combat measles, mumps, rubella, men-
ingitis, pneumonia, influenza, rabies, upper respiratory diseases, 
and hepatitis B; 
Whereas America's financial investment in medical research has 
consistently been rewarded with positive returns as measured by 
reduced morbidity, and improved individual productivity and 
health status; 
Whereas the products and by-products of medical research contrib-
ute significantly to the health of America's overall economy and 
its ability to compete successfully in international commerce and 
trade; 
Whereas medical research in this country has fostered a productive 
and ongoing positive public and private sector partnership among 
government, academia, industry, and voluntary organizations in 
the pursuit of research excellence and discovery; 
Whereas the Congress of the United States has consistently dem-
onstrated a Federal financial commitment to maintaining Ameri-
ca's preeminence in medical research through support of such 
agencies as the National Institutes of Health, the Alcohol, Drug 
Abuse and Mental Health Administration, the Centers for Disease 
Control, and the Veterans' Administration; 
Whereas the Congress and President of the United States have 
formally recognized 100 years of Federal support for medical 
research through resolution and proclamation commemorating 
PUBLIC LAW 100-126—OCT. 8, 1987 
101 STAT. 799 
the current Federal fiscal year as the National Institutes of 
Health Centennial year; 
Whereas America's medical research enterprise has produced 85 
internationally respected Nobel laureates in physiology, medicine, 
and chemistry and must continue to foster the interest and train-
ing of young scientists, medical practitioners, and other health 
professionals in research careers, as well as ensure the adequacy 
of the settings within which they will work; 
Whereas America's medical researchers are working at the fore-
front of biomedical technologies which create exciting new medi- 
. _, ,.• . 
cal research opportunities that hold the best hope for unraveling 
the mysteries of cancer, AIDS, Alzheimer's disease, arthritis, 
heart and lung diseases, mental illness, and the many other 
diseases and disorders which claim or severely impair the lives of 
millions of Americans; and 
Whereas the Congress of the United States acknowledges with pride 
the many accomplishments of America's medical research enter-
prise and confidently looks to it for continued progress in reliev-
ing human suffering and conquering the diseases and disorders 
that afflict the people of this country: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
States of America in Congress assembled, That the day of October 1, 
1987, is designated as "National Medical Research Day", and the 
President is authorized and requested to issue a proclamation call-
ing upon the people of the United States to observe such day with 
appropriate ceremonies and activities. 
Approved October 8, 1987. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S.J. Res. 142: 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 133 (1987): 
June 25, considered and passed Senate. 
Sept. 30, considered and passed House.