Dear Senator ____,

I am writing to encourage you to cosponsor S. 2140, legislation introduced by Senator Dorgan (D-ND) and Senator Enzi (R-WY) to award the Congressional Gold Medal to Francis Collins, MD, PhD.

As the Director of the National Human Genome Research Institute, Dr. Collins led the Human Genome Project, completed ahead of time and under budget in 2003.

Insert a paragraph about your organization, disease, or community.

Dr. Collins' work has a direct and invaluable impact on my community. With the knowledge gained from the Human Genome Project, researchers are able to advance medical research and treatments for hundreds of genetic conditions. Many of these conditions are rare and were previously overlooked. Dr. Collins' work shines a light on the entire spectrum of human conditions, and for the first time in the history of disease, all conditions are on an even playing field.

Dr. Collins published a paper about the need for protections against genetic discrimination in 1995. He has raised public awareness and educated the Nation's leaders about the danger of discrimination based on one's genetic make up. He is a visionary leader that sees a future where Americans are certain they can utilize genetic information to proactively manage their health and to further clinical research into disease and treatment without fear of losing their jobs or health coverage.

Most critically for my community, Dr. Collins' work has opened the doors for technologies, tests, and treatments for genetic diseases. He has, from the early days of his career, understood the plight of the little ones, and works tirelessly for the entire spectrum from single gene disorders to population-based studies. He is a transformational leader, enabling collaboration and public access in multiple ways that change paradigms in science, economics, and the social structure.

James Russell Lowell, the American poet and diplomat, said: "Creativity is not the finding of a thing, but the making something out of it after it is found." Dr. Collins has read the 'book of life' and made it of the people, by the people, and for the people. His impact on our community, our country, and the world is extraordinary. For these reasons, I encourage you to stand with me in honoring Dr. Collins.

Sincerely,

Dear Representative____,

I am writing to encourage you to cosponsor H.R.4576, legislation introduced by Representatives Judy Biggert (R-IL), Louise Slaughter (D-NY), Fred Upton (R-MI), and George Miller (D-CA) to award the Congressional Gold Medal to Francis Collins, MD, PhD.

As the Director of the National Human Genome Research Institute, Dr. Collins led the Human Genome Project, completed ahead of time and under budget in 2003.

Insert a paragraph about your organization, disease, or community.

Dr. Collins' work has a direct and invaluable impact on my community. With the knowledge gained from the Human Genome Project, researchers are able to advance medical research and treatments for hundreds of genetic conditions. Many of these conditions are rare and were previously overlooked. Dr. Collins' work shines a light on the entire spectrum of human conditions, and for the first time in the history of disease, all conditions are on an even playing field. Dr. Collins published a paper about the need for protections against genetic discrimination in 1995. He has raised public awareness and educated the Nation's leaders about the danger of discrimination based on one's genetic make up. He is a visionary leader that sees a future where Americans are certain they can utilize genetic information to proactively manage their health and to further clinical research into disease and treatment without fear of losing their jobs or health coverage.

Most critically for my community, Dr. Collins' work has opened the doors for technologies, tests, and treatments for genetic diseases. He has, from the early days of his career, understood the plight of the little ones, and works tirelessly for the entire spectrum from single gene disorders to population-based studies. He is a transformational leader, enabling collaboration and public access in multiple ways that change paradigms in science, economics, and the social structure.

James Russell Lowell, the American poet and diplomat, said: "Creativity is not the finding of a thing, but the making something out of it after it is found." Dr. Collins has read the 'book of life' and made it of the people, by the people, and for the people. His impact on our community, our country, and the world is extraordinary. For these reasons, I encourage you to stand with me in honoring Dr. Collins. Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,