Research!America to Honor Sens. Schumer and Young for Their Support of Research
Senators Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) and Todd Young (R-IN) have each been selected to receive the Edwin C. Whitehead Award for Medical Research Advocacy for their extraordinary contributions to strengthening our nation’s research capabilities and impact. They will be honored at Research!America’s 2023 Advocacy Awards on March 15 in Washington, DC.
“Senators Schumer and Young are exemplary leaders in advancing research and strengthening America’s position as a global leader in science and technology,” said Research!America Board Chair Susan Dentzer. “Throughout their careers as public servants, they have demonstrated a strong commitment to advancing scientific, medical, and public health progress. They have also worked on a bipartisan basis to achieve these goals, as evident in the landmark CHIPS and Science Act of 2022. They set a high bar for their fellow members of Congress in taking action on the most urgent R&D priorities facing the nation.”
Senator Schumer has represented the state of New York for more than 40 years. Among numerous contributions, he championed funding for the rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines and treatments, which have saved an estimated 20 million lives globally.
His determination to build out the nation’s science and technology capacity and secure U.S. economic competitiveness in the global arena resulted in bicameral support for what we now know as the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022. Leader Schumer has been resolute in his determination to bolster America’s STEM capabilities and workforce to drive fast-paced medical and public health progress.
“It is an honor to receive Research!America’s Edwin C. Whitehead Award for Medical Research Advocacy,” said Senator Schumer. “Our economic and national security is dependent on bright young minds having the resources they need to make the progress our nation deserves. As Majority Leader, it’s been a top priority to invest in Americans’ ingenuity and development, making sure we stay on the cutting-edge of the global market. With research, if you aren’t ahead of the curve, you are behind it, which is why I will always be committed to staying ahead and supporting medical, health, and scientific research whenever and wherever possible.”
Senator Young also played a critical role in garnering bipartisan support for the CHIPS and Science Act. As the lead cosponsor of the bill, he joined Leader Schumer in steadfastly championing this landmark legislative accomplishment. His commitment to health-focused science is evident through his co-sponsorship of numerous pieces of legislation that promote medical and public health research.
Senator Young cosponsored the SUPPORT Act to expand services for people struggling with substance use and the BOLD Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Act, a public health initiative to help improve early detection and diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease and increase caregiving support for patients. As A champion for pediatric research, Senator Young also cosponsored the Childhood Cancer STAR Act of 2018 and the PREEMIE Reauthorization Act of 2018.
“I am honored to receive the Edwin C. Whitehead Award from Research!America. We must continue to shine a light on the urgent need to advance medical and scientific research,” said Senator Young. “Despite the progress that we have made, the future of our nation’s health depends on bipartisan support of critical programs and legislation that address health threats, bolster life-saving research, and promote the future of science and innovation in the United States.”
2023 Advocacy Awards
Now in its 27th year, Research!America’s annual Advocacy Awards program honors outstanding individuals and organizations in advocacy for medical, health, and scientific research. The Edwin C. Whitehead Award, named in honor of Research!America founder Edwin C. “Jack” Whitehead, recognizes exemplary leaders, particularly those in public office, who have demonstrated a deep commitment to advancing medical and health research as a national priority and who galvanize others in support of science. The Edwin C. Whitehead Award for Medical Research Advocacy is generously supported by the Whitehead Charitable Foundation and the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research.
“Senators Schumer and Young have demonstrated a longstanding commitment to making STEM, science policy, and research funding national priorities. We are excited to express our gratitude for their unwavering support and dedication to advancing science and technology in the U.S., and to bolstering America’s position as a global R&D leader,” said Research!America President and CEO Mary Woolley.
Research!America has previously-announced the other 2023 Advocacy Award honorees: Lawrence Tabak, DDS, PhD, will receive the John Edward Porter Legacy Award generously supported by Ann Lurie; Helene Gayle, MD, MPH, will receive the Geoffrey Beene Foundation Builders of Science Award; Pamela B. Davis, MD, PhD, will receive the Herbert Pardes Family Award for National Leadership in Advocacy for Research; Heywood Fralin and Michael J. Friedlander, PhD, will receive the Gordon and Llura Gund Leadership Award; the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research will receive the Paul G. Rogers Distinguished Organization Advocacy Award; and the film, “Hiding in Plain Sight: Youth Mental Illness” will receive the Isadore Rosenfeld Award for Impact on Public Opinion.
The suite of Outstanding Achievement in Public Health Awards generously supported by Johnson & Johnson honor the following: Margaret A. Hamburg, MD, who will receive the Outstanding Achievement in Public Health Award; James E. Crowe Jr., MD, who will receive the Building the Foundation Award; Hip Hop Public Health, which will receive the Meeting the Moment for Public Health Award; and Noubar Afeyan, PhD, who will receive the Rapid Translation Award.
Contact Tim Haynes, Senior Director of Communications, at 571-482-2737 or thaynes@researchamerica.org with press inquiries.