NIH makes Rep John E Fogarty's papers available online
November / December 2015 | Volume 14, Issue 6
An extensive selection of papers from the John E. Fogarty
collection at Providence College was recently published on
the National Library of Medicine's Profiles in Science website.
The NIH's National Library of Medicine (NLM), the world's largest medical library, has made available online an extensive selection of papers from the John E. Fogarty collection at Providence College. The documents from the former Democratic Representative from Rhode Island - which include correspondence, legislative records, speeches, interviews and photographs - are featured on Fogarty's entry on the NLM's Profiles in Science website. Under his leadership as chair of the appropriations subcommittee with responsibility for research funding, the NIH budget grew from $37 million in 1949 to $1.24 billion in 1967.
"Congressman Fogarty's profile highlights his effective work with colleagues across the political spectrum to advance medical research and public health in the United States in the mid-20th century," said NLM Acting Director Betsy Humphreys.
During Fogarty's tenure in Congress, he repeatedly, but unsuccessfully, argued for creation of an international health research institute to promote the study of global health. His sudden death of a heart attack in 1967 provided the catalyst that led to the establishment of the John Edward Fogarty International Center at NIH the following year.
"Congressman Fogarty firmly believed that diseases know no borders and that all people deserve to live long and healthy lives. Today, these ideas are at the heart of our programs to encourage international research collaborations and support scientific training in low- and middle-income countries," said Fogarty Director Dr. Roger I. Glass.
In addition to official documents, visitors to the site can view a 2014 interview with former Rep. Melvin R. Laird, whose bipartisan collaboration with Fogarty was instrumental in passing legislation related to medical research. The interview was made possible through the generosity of Fogarty's daughter, Mary Fogarty McAndrew, and her husband, Thomas McAndrew.
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