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Texas Legislature Celebrates
The 77th Texas Legislature celebrated six decades of Making Cancer History in recognition of one of the state’s internationally recognized institutions.
In celebration of the 60th anniversary of The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, the House and Senate passed a concurrent resolution expressing gratitude on behalf of all the patients who have been served by the institution.
The resolution was presented to John Mendelsohn, M.D., president of
M. D. Anderson, in ceremonies on the floor of the Senate on March 28, 2001.
Joining Mendelsohn for the celebration were R.D. "Dan" Burck, UT System chancellor; Charles Mullins, M.D., executive vice chancellor for health affairs; Francie Frederick, executive secretary to the UT System Board of Regents; and Forrest Hoglund, chairman of M. D. Anderson’s Board of Visitors.
The concurrent resolution was sponsored by Sen. Buster Brown (R-Lake Jackson) and Rep. Tom Uher (D-Bay City).
The 47th Texas Legislature created the State Cancer Hospital and Division of Cancer Research in 1941 that is now known internationally as one of the world’s largest and most productive comprehensive cancer centers. In 2000,
M. D. Anderson ranked No. 1 in cancer care in U.S. News & World Report's "America's Best Hospitals" survey.
"Our faculty, staff and volunteers are proud that our work at M. D. Anderson has brought national and international attention to Texas, but we are not resting on our laurels," Mendelsohn said.
"The prevalence of cancer is increasing as our population is aging, and we face great challenges in the detection and treatment of several forms of cancer. Yet the progress we have made against cancer is clear in the increasing number of therapeutic options and in the enhanced quality and length of cancer patients’ lives. That progress occurs through research — basic, translational and clinical research — and we are committed to further growth in our research programs and in our patient care activities to better serve individuals with cancer."
The concurrent resolution presented to Mendelsohn recognized that:
- Nearly 500,000 people — the majority of them Texans — have been served at M. D. Anderson and that other patients throughout the world have benefited from numerous research discoveries made by the institution’s faculty and staff.
- More than 40,000 physicians, scientists, nurses and health care professionals have trained at M. D. Anderson, and the institution has embraced cancer prevention, public education and community service as key elements of its mission.
- M. D. Anderson sets an international standard of care for cancer patients and truly brings honor to Texas.
- The support of the UT Regents and the volunteers of the University Cancer Foundation Board of Visitors have been vital to the success of M. D. Anderson.
- Thousands of patients, faculty, employees, volunteers and donors have come together over the last 60 years to foster the extraordinary partnership that assures M. D. Anderson will continue Making Cancer History.
M. D. Anderson is named for the late Houston philanthropist Monroe Dunaway Anderson, whose foundation matched a state appropriation of $500,000 to establish the cancer research hospital. A banker and cotton broker, Anderson left his money to be used for the promotion of health, science and education after his death and thus never knew of the Texas treasure named in his honor.