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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Dr. James P. Allison, chair of immunology at The |
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University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, was named the 2015 |
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winner of the Lasker-DeBakey Clinical Medical Research Award; and |
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WHEREAS, Presented by the Albert and Mary Lasker Foundation, |
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the Lasker Awards are considered among the most prestigious |
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scientific prizes in the world, and to date, 87 award recipients |
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have gone on to receive the Nobel Prize in their respective fields |
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of endeavor; and |
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WHEREAS, A highly acclaimed leader in cancer immunotherapy, |
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Dr. Jim Allison has conducted research into the biology of T-cells, |
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the white blood cells that play a key role in the body's immune |
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response; his work resulted in his discovery of an antibody that |
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stimulates the immune system to fight back against tumor cells; |
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recognized as a significant therapeutic breakthrough, this |
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achievement was instrumental in the development of the drug |
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Yervoy--the first treatment shown to extend the survival of |
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patients with late-stage, untreatable melanoma; and |
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WHEREAS, Dr. Allison earned his undergraduate and doctoral |
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degrees at The University of Texas at Austin, and he has been |
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affiliated with a number of respected research institutions over |
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the course of his career; since 2012, he has overseen the immunology |
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department at MD Anderson, where his accomplishments have included |
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the establishment of the cancer immunotherapy platform as part of |
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the Moon Shots Program, which brings together scientists and |
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clinicians to pursue new innovations in cancer treatment; he has |
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been honored with numerous professional accolades, including the |
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Science of Oncology Award from the American Society of Clinical |
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Oncology, the Paul Ehrlich and Ludwig Darmstaedter Prize, and the |
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International Award for Cancer Research from the Pezcoller |
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Foundation and American Association for Cancer Research; and |
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WHEREAS, The groundbreaking contributions of Dr. Jim Allison |
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have earned him a place at the forefront of a promising new field of |
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cancer research, and his efforts are inspiring other scientists in |
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the Lone Star State and beyond; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas |
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Legislature hereby congratulate Dr. James P. Allison on his receipt |
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of the 2015 Lasker-DeBakey Clinical Medical Research Award and |
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extend to him sincere best wishes for continued success with 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. Allison as an expression of high regard by the |
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Texas House of Representatives. |