You are currently viewing archive.bio.org. Head to our home page to check out our fresh new look!

U.S. Senate Declares April 21-28 "National Biotechnology Week"

Washington, D.C. (April 19, 2002) - Last night, the U.S. Senate passed a resolution designating April 21-28 as "National Biotechnology Week," recognizing the importance of biotechnology to the research and development of medical, agricultural, industrial and environmental processes and products.

Co-sponsored by Sens. Tim Hutchinson (R-Ark.) and Christopher Dodd (D-Conn.), S. 243 states how important it is for Americans to "understand the beneficial role biotechnology plays in an improved quality of life."

The resolution also contains language that recognizes the role of biotechnology in creating new vaccines, therapeutics, diagnostics and other technologies to combat bioterrorism.

Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) President Carl B. Feldbaum thanked Sens. Hutchinson and Dodd for their support of the resolution, which was key to its unanimous passage. "Shepherding this resolution through the Senate complements their long-standing work on behalf of this industry, work that will continue to be critical to our success - and ultimately, to the health and well-being of the American public," said Feldbaum.

"We are especially pleased to have the added momentum of this recognition of the Senate as we approach BIO’s April 24th Legislative Day in Washington, D.C.," said Feldbaum. "Next Wednesday, hundreds of members of the biotechnology community from all over the country will come to Washington to discuss with their congressional leaders important issues such as the reauthorization of the Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA), Medicare reform, prescription drug coverage, and reducing trade barriers for American farmers. Our industry’s issues are front and center on American’s health-care agenda," said Feldbaum.

(Resolution in HTML | Resolution in PDF)

BIO represents more than 1,000 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations in all 50 U.S. states and 33 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of health-care, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products.

###