SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 1000

WHEREAS, Andrew C. von Eschenbach served with distinction as commissioner of the United States Food and Drug Administration from 2005 to 2009 and as director of the National Cancer Institute from 2002 to 2005; and

WHEREAS, Dr. von Eschenbach brought to those posts some 30 years of experience as a physician, surgeon, medical educator, and hospital executive, including service as executive vice president and chief academic at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston; moreover, he has gained international renown as a cancer specialist; and

WHEREAS, Appointed by President George W. Bush to lead the National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health, Dr. von Eschenbach immediately began working toward the acceleration and integration of the discovery-development-delivery continuum, and he committed resources to ensure the application to oncology of nanotechnology, genomics, proteomics, bioinformatics, and other emerging technologies; and

WHEREAS, He was subsequently chosen by President Bush as acting commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, and following confirmation by the senate in December 2006, he fostered a variety of creative projects at the agency; the Beyond Our Borders Initiative created Food and Drug Administration permanent offices around the world, and the Critical Path Initiative brought modern scientific tools to the product development process; in addition, Dr. von Eschenbach substantially increased Food and Drug Administration collaboration with regulatory counterparts in other countries, provided technical assistance to foreign regulators and industries, and increased efforts to learn more about importers and their products; and

WHEREAS, Dr. von Eschenbach, who holds a bachelor's degree from Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia and a medical degree from Georgetown University School of Medicine, completed his internship and residency in urologic surgery at Philadelphia General Hospital and served as an instructor in urology at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine; along the way, he also served as a lieutenant commander in the United States Navy Medical Corps; and

WHEREAS, The author of more than 200 scientific articles and studies, Dr. von Eschenbach has been recognized on numerous occasions for his contributions to medicine; among his honors are the 2003 Carpe Diem Award from the Lance Armstrong Foundation and an Achievement Award from the 100 Black Men of Metropolitan Houston; in 2006, he was named to the Time magazine 100 list of "the people who shape our world," and in 2007 and 2008, he was selected by Modern Healthcare/Modern Physician as one of the 50 Most Powerful Physician Executives in Healthcare; and

WHEREAS, Dr. von Eschenbach is supported in his endeavors by his wife, Madelyn, as well as their four children, and he enjoys the love and affection of seven grandchildren; since leaving government service, he joined Greenleaf Health as a senior advisor; and

WHEREAS, The people of this state and nation have benefited greatly from the dedication and vision of Dr. Andrew C. von Eschenbach, and his efforts in their behalf are indeed deserving of recognition; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 81st Legislature, hereby honor Andrew C. von Eschenbach on his exemplary service as commissioner of the United States Food and Drug Administration and as director of the National Cancer Institute during the Bush administration and extend to him sincere best wishes for continued success and happiness; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be prepared for Dr. von Eschenbach as an expression of high regard from the Texas Senate.

Zaffirini

________________________________

President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on May 25, 2009.

________________________________

Secretary of the Senate

________________________________

Member, Texas Senate