Senate Resolution No. 4273

BY: Senator MARCELLINO

HONORING James D. Watson upon the occasion of his
designation for special recognition by Cold Spring
Harbor Laboratory on April 6, 2018

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to publicly
commend those outstanding individuals within the State of New York whose
lifelong dedication to research results in groundbreaking discoveries
which improve the lives of those across the nation and within our great
Empire State; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
James D. Watson upon the occasion of his designation for special
recognition by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory at its Gala on Friday,
April 6, 2018, in Cold Spring Harbor, New York, and wishing him a very
Happy 90th Birthday; and

WHEREAS, James D. Watson has challenged and encouraged generations
of young scientists and he remains, as Chancellor Emeritus and Oliver
Grace Professor of Cancer Research, a major draw for young people from
all corners of the globe; and

WHEREAS, Proceeds from this Benefit Gala will support endowment to
honor James D. Watson by naming a future professorship for him; the
Watson Distinguished Professor will continue his legacy of inspiration
by providing tomorrow's brightest young scientists with the resources
and inspiration to become society's leaders; and

WHEREAS, James D. Watson was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1928; he
received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1947 from the University of
Chicago, and a Ph.D. from Indiana University in 1950, both in zoology;
and

WHEREAS, Following a National Research Fellowship in Copenhagen,
James D. Watson conducted research on a National Foundation of
Infantile Paralysis Fellowship at the University of Cambridge, England,
where he discovered the structure of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) with
Francis Crick; and

WHEREAS, This research emphasized a concept central to the emerging
field of molecular biology, and James D. Watson was subsequently awarded
the 1982 Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine for his discovery; and

WHEREAS, After his tenure at Cambridge, James D. Watson spent two
years at the California Institute of Technology; he joined the Harvard
faculty in 1955, and became professor in 1961; seven years later, while
employed at Harvard, he became Director of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
(CSHL); and

WHEREAS, James D. Watson resigned from Harvard in 1976, to become
full-time Director of CSHL; under his able leadership, the renowned but
financially endangered institution was revitalized; and

WHEREAS, Also during this time, James D. Watson steered the
laboratory into the field of tumor virology, from which emerged our
present understanding of cancer genes and the molecular basis of cancer;
and

WHEREAS, In 1988, James D. Watson was appointed Associate Director
for Human Genome Research of the National Institutes of Health, and one
year later, as Director of the National Center for Human Genome
Research; he resigned from this esteemed position after successfully
launching a worldwide effort to map and sequence the human genome; and

WHEREAS, James D. Watson served as President of CSHL from 1994 to
2003, and as Chancellor from 2003 until his retirement in 2007; he
currently serves as Chancellor Emeritus; and

WHEREAS, James D. Watson has been the recipient of countless awards
and accolades, some of which include the Benjamin Franklin Medal for
Distinguished Achievement in the Sciences, Honorary Knighthood of the
British Empire, Gairdner Foundation Award of Merit, Lotos Medal of
Merit, Othmer Medal, Karl Landsteiner Memorial Award, Gregor Mendel
Medal, Gold Medal of Lublin Medical University, Gold Medal of
Jagiellonian University, the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science
Award, Capo d'Orlando Prize, and the Prizvanie (Vocation) Award; and

WHEREAS, This extraordinary man has received honorary degrees from
35 universities and is the author of numerous books including: The
Molecular Biology of the Gene, The Double Helix, The DNA Story, The
Molecular Biology of the Cell, Recombinant DNA: A Short Course, A
Passion for DNA, Genes, Girls, and Gamow: After the Double Helix, DNA:
The Secret of Life, Avoid Boring People: Lessons from a Life in Science,
and Father to Son: Truth, Reason and Decency; and

WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Elizabeth, and
their two sons, Rufus and Duncan, who have all shown him love and
support and rejoice in his many achievements; and

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body that when
individuals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our
attention, they should be recognized and applauded by all the citizens
of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor James D. Watson upon the occasion of his designation for special
recognition by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory on April 6, 2018; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to James D. Watson.