Bill Text: VA HJR253 | 2020 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commending Gerald R. Rubin.
Spectrum: Strong Partisan Bill (Democrat 14-1)
Status: (Passed) 2020-02-28 - Bill text as passed House and Senate (HJ253ER) [HJR253 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2020-HJR253-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, Gerald R. Rubin, a noted biologist and geneticist, concluded his service as vice president of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and as executive director of the Janelia Research Campus in 2020; and
WHEREAS, Gerald "Gerry" R. Rubin joined the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI), one of the leading medical research organizations in the United States, in 1987; serving for many years as an investigator at the University of California, Berkeley, he led the public project to sequence the Drosophila melanogaster genome, among other accomplishments; and
WHEREAS, in 2000, Gerry Rubin became HHMI's vice president for biomedical research, initiating the development of the institute's Janelia Research Campus in Loudoun County shortly thereafter; and
WHEREAS, establishing and supervising all of the activities needed to take the Janelia Research Campus from an empty building to a fully operational research facility, Gerry Rubin worked tirelessly to recruit its first laboratory heads and to implement the scientific infrastructure essential to their success; and
WHEREAS, as a key member of HHMI's leadership team and one of its ambassadors in the scientific community, Gerry Rubin has had an outsized impact on the nation's biological and medical research activities over the past several years; and
WHEREAS, throughout his tenure, Gerry Rubin demonstrated excellent judgment, initiative, and dedication to HHMI's mission, greatly advancing the institute's capacity for cutting-edge research and innovation; and
WHEREAS, countless individuals and families in the Commonwealth will undoubtedly benefit from the advancements that were made possible through Gerry Rubin's indefatigable efforts; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Gerald R. Rubin, an esteemed biologist and geneticist, as he concludes his terms as vice president of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and executive director of the Janelia Research Campus; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Gerald R. Rubin as an expression of the General Assembly's profound respect for his impressive career and appreciation for his contributions to the health and well-being of the Commonwealth.