WASHINGTON—Feb. 6, 2008—Research!America's chair, The Honorable John Edward Porter, former Illinois Congressman, responds to the news of the death of Nobel Laureate Joshua Lederberg, PhD, a member of Research!America's Scientific Advisory Committee:
"The loss of Joshua Lederberg is a substantial one to the scientific community and all those who care about the benefits that scientific research has brought our nation and our world. He was truly a giant among American scientists-held rightfully in the highest esteem by his peers, by members of Congress and multiple Administrations.
"He was most certainly ahead of his time. And he stayed ahead of his time, year after year, challenging and inspiring generations of young scientists and those whose hope for new cures and preventions rely on research. Scientists never stopped heeding his advice, even if the current political leadership in Washington chose not to listen.
"The discoveries of Josh Lederberg and his generation put the U.S. squarely in the lead, scientifically-with the support of the nation and our elected officials. It would have been a marvelous tribute to him, the countless scientists he mentored, and the nation's health and economic progress if President Bush's latest budget, released just days after Dr. Lederberg's death, had, instead of skimping, decided to renew the vigor of our nation's investment in research."