Tabak on Capitol Hill for Medical Research Rally Event

Dr. Lawrence Tabak, performing the duties of NIH director, speaks at a Capitol Hill reception to celebrate medical research on Sept. 13.

Photo: John Burklow

Dr. Lawrence Tabak, performing the duties of NIH director, addressed a Reception to Celebrate the Lifesaving Research that NIH is Supporting on Sept. 13 at Rayburn House Office Building cafeteria. The event preceded the Rally for Medical Research, which has been held annually since 2013 on Capitol Hill. 

This year marked the 10th anniversary of the rally, which every September gathers a broad coalition of groups representing the medical research advocacy community to meet with House and Senate offices in Washington, D.C. to urge members of Congress to make funding for NIH a national priority. The rally is coordinated by the American Association for Cancer Research and supported by nearly 350 partner organizations. According to the website, “Our goal is to have meetings scheduled with all 535 members of Congress, which would make this the biggest rally ever!” 

A bipartisan effort, the event heard from congressional leaders from both sides of the aisle and this year included a tribute to the late former Congressman John Porter, a longtime strong supporter of NIH who was instrumental in the rally’s formation. 

“I want to thank all the advocates...who will be talking to Congress...That’s what helps members of Congress understand the need for funding of medical research,” said Tabak.