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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Dr. Bill Gruber has contributed significantly to |
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the development of lifesaving COVID-19 vaccines, and he is indeed |
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deserving of special recognition; and |
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WHEREAS, Dr. Gruber graduated from Rice University in 1975 |
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and completed his medical education at Baylor College of Medicine, |
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where he served as chief resident in pediatrics; he later joined the |
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faculty of the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and |
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directed the Diagnostic Virology Laboratory at Vanderbilt |
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University Hospital; in 1999, he became vice president of clinical |
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vaccine research at Wyeth, and he is currently senior vice |
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president of vaccine clinical research and development at Pfizer, |
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which acquired Wyeth in 2009; and |
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WHEREAS, During the race to develop COVID-19 vaccines, |
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Dr. Gruber frequently collaborated with his longtime friend and |
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former colleague, Dr. Barney Graham, who is deputy director of the |
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Vaccine Research Center at the National Institute of Allergy and |
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Infectious Diseases; Dr. Graham's laboratory partnered with |
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Moderna to develop a vaccine using a new, gene-based technology, |
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while Dr. Gruber oversaw a similar project at Pfizer; the two |
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communicated regularly to exchange information, and both vaccines |
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were authorized for use by the Food and Drug Administration in late |
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2020; and |
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WHEREAS, Through his monumental efforts, Bill Gruber has |
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helped alleviate suffering and save the lives of innumerable |
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people, and in so doing, he has earned the deep respect and |
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appreciation of all who are privileged to know him; now, therefore, |
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be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas |
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Legislature, 2nd Called Session, hereby honor Dr. Bill Gruber for |
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his contributions to the development of COVID-19 vaccines and |
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extend to him sincere best wishes for continued success in his |
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important work; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Dr. Gruber as an expression of high regard by the Texas |
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House of Representatives. |