HRES208APR22

TheWeekInCongress.com

Week Ending April 22, 2005

House Resolution 208 recognizing the University of Pittsburgh and Dr. Jonas Salk on the fiftieth anniversary of the milestone discovery of the Salk polio vaccine, which has virtually eliminated the disease and its harmful effects.

BRIEF

Dr. Salk was hired by the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in 1947 to develop a virus research program. A 1952 polio epidemic led to Dr. Salk’s vaccine that was trialed in 1955 and, over three years accounted for a 90 percent drop in the disease.

The Resolution recognizes the effort of Dr. Salk, the University of Pittsburgh and also the residents of Allegheny County and elsewhere who participated in the clinical trials of the vaccine.

Sponsor: Representative Tim Murphy (PA-18^th)

Vote: Passed House by voice vote (April 15, 2005)

Cost to the taxpayers: No discernible cost.

MORE INFORMATION

Whereas Dr. William S. McElroy, Dean of the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, in 1947 recruited Dr. Jonas Salk to develop a virus research program at the University of Pittsburgh;

Whereas Dr. Salk, the first member of his family to go to college, during his previous 5 1/2 years at Michigan, who had become known for his expertise on the immunology of influenza during World War II had helped to develop the vaccine that continues to be used against influenza;

Whereas Dr. Salk set up a research laboratory in The Municipal Hospital for Contagious Diseases, now Salk Hall at the University of Pittsburgh;

Whereas the epidemic of polio peaked in 1952, having affected nearly 58,000 people, mainly children and young adults;

Whereas many of those affected were confined to mechanical ventilators known as iron lungs to breathe while many others were crippled and needed crutches for mobility;

Whereas University of Pittsburgh faculty member Dr. Jonas Salk and his team of researchers developed the first vaccine against polio;

Whereas in April 1955 the results of an unprecedented and successful nationwide clinical trial of the polio vaccine developed at the University of Pittsburgh were announced indicating that the vaccine was safe and effective;

Whereas the Salk polio vaccine was approved for widespread public use and the incidence of polio in the United States fell by 85-90 percent during the first 3 years of widespread use of Salk's polio vaccine (1955-1957);

Whereas the Salk polio vaccine developed at the University of Pittsburgh is considered one of the most significant medical achievements of the twentieth century;

Whereas the international immunization of children and young adults at that time resulted in the worldwide eradication of polio by 1962 and since that time has prevented any significant re-emergence of the disease;

Whereas in 1963 Dr. Salk founded the Jonas Salk Institute for Biological Studies, an innovative center for medical and scientific research; and

Whereas Dr. Salk's last years were spent searching for a vaccine against AIDS: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the House of Representatives--

(1) recognizes the University of Pittsburgh on the fiftieth anniversary of the milestone discovery of the Salk polio vaccine, which has virtually eliminated the disease and its harmful effects;

(2) recognizes the pioneering achievement of Dr. Jonas Salk and his team of researchers at the University of Pittsburgh in the development of the Salk polio vaccine;

(3) states its appreciation to--

(A) the University of Pittsburgh for the elimination of a disease that caused countless deaths and disabling consequences;

(B) the members of Dr. Salk's research team;

(C) the individuals, a majority of whom were residents of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, who generously agreed to participate in clinical trials to validate the efficacy of the polio vaccine; and

(D) the family members of Dr. Salk for their participation in medical history.

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