DeGette Comments on Zerhouni Resignation

Press Release

DeGette Comments on Zerhouni Resignation

U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette (D-Co), Vice Chair of the Committee on Energy and Commerce and the chief architect of the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act, today offered the following statement on the resignation of Dr. Elias Zerhouni, Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH):

"Dr. Zerhouni should be commended for his extraordinary leadership of the NIH in not only directing our nation's premiere research facility, but also for his commitment to keeping the United States at the helm of cutting-edge research. He led the charge in restructuring the NIH and coordinating interdisciplinary research across the NIH's many institutes, which has allowed the advancement of cross-cutting, translational research.

"Dr. Zerhouni's courage in advocating for embryonic stem cell research, despite President Bush's opposition, has kept the focus on evidence-based science, while many continue to play politics in this debate. His leadership in supporting all ethical science has led way to new and innovative research. The scientific community has been well represented with Dr. Zerhouni leading the National Institutes of Health. I will miss his leadership and thank him for all he has done."

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