A single line often inverts meaning once you see what it
answers, so neighbouring messages are always shown.
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May 7, 2010 - "Big Think" meeting at the Natcher Building of Outside consultants to discuss 3 of Francis's pillars: 1) high throughput technology; 2) Translational Research; 3) Research involved in enhancing health care reform. All day. Francis Collins clearly is trying to steer the NIH towards his themes. "Everybody wants to be somebody." The meeting was geared to figure out how to spend Common Fund Money and how to move more towards translational research. Actually a good meeting. Francis is smart, very hard working, but it is all about Francis.
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May 13, 2010 - Gave Keynote at the NIAF Public policy Forum at the Rayburn Building. Typical of similar Italian functions. Again, continual activity at WH with MCM and Heidi.
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May 14, 2010 - Phenomenal reception/dinner at the Academy of Achievement on 16th Street, N.W. hosted by Wayne and Catherine Reynolds. Usual stars of DC were there: Eric Holder, media people, Gen. James Jones, Bob Barnett, etc., etc. It was a Tribute to Hal David, master lyricists and team member with Burt Bacharach. "Mystery" entertainers were B.J. Thomas singing "Raindrops keep falling on my head" and the amazing Dionne Warwick. I helped Dionne a few months ago by referring her friend to a neurologist for MS. We had a pleasant conversation after her performance.
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May 18, 2010 - Science Management Working Group (SMRG) meeting in Building 31 to discuss the clinical center issues and the proposition to open it to the extramural community in exchange for the inflationary increases being paid for out of the total NIH budget instead of just the IRP budget. Still pending what the decision will be. That night had dinner at Assaggi in Bethesda with Mark Harrington, Gregg Gonsalves and David Barr to discuss the underfunding of PEPFAR and what to do about it. In this regard, big issue looming among the international and national AIDS advocacy community about the POTUS GHI that includes PEPFAR, but funds PEPFAR at almost level instead of the expected increases by the community. POTUS wants to expand GHI beyond just PEPFAR and include, child health, maternal health, women's health, NTDs, etc. Thus, PEPFAR is somewhat competing with others for a limited pot of money. Many African health officials such as Peter Mugyenyi are openly complaining about this and getting agitated. Obama is looking in the eyes of the activists as anti-AIDS, which he is not. However, it is clear that AIDS is not his highest priority. Earlier in the day I appeared on the Diane Rehm show on just this topic of shortfunding of PEPFAR. On with me was Stephen Lewis (former UN envoy at large for HIV and Peter Mugyenyi and Eric Goosby. Lewis as usual was sanctimonious.
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2010-05-21 00:00
Anthony S. Fauci
May 21, 2010 - Waxman's House Energy and Commerce committee want me to testify on May 27 with Craig Venter and others on synthetic biology and the science paper that just came out. White House is balking. I spoke with staffers Naomi Seiler and Steve Cha. Both really want me to testify.
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May 25, 2010 - Received the Joel A. Toubin Award for Advocacy on Behalf of HIV Infected People from the Whitman Walker Clinic at the Embassy of Sweden at 2900 K street on the Georgetown Waterfront. Amazingly beautiful day. Reception on the rooftop with panoramic views of the Potomac, Watergate, the Key bridge, etc. Check out my speech
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May 26, 2010 - Met with Francis Collins, Harold Varmus (recently announced as new NCI Director, John Burklow (OC for OD), Kathy Hudson, and Pat White (Leg for NIH OD) regarding the disturbing Administration policy of "muzzling" NIH and other government scientists (see discussions above). Conclusion is that we must strongly suggest to John Holdren (POTUS Science Advisor) that he directly tell the POTUS that scientists, particularly at NIH are being muzzled by the WH and HHS communications people. aby (Ali) will be The evening (beautiful, warm Spring DC evening) went to the Annual National Education and Leadership Awards (NELA) Gala at the Omni-Shoreham Hotel given by the Sons of Italy Foundation. Bill Clinton received the Lifetime Award for Public Service. Came 1 hour late, but gave a great speech on public service. Also awarded was Captain Anthony Odierno who lost his left arm to an RPG attack on his Humvee in Bagdad. His father General Raymond Odierno introduced his son. Tear-jerker for sure. Also awarded was Lewis Merletti, former WH Secret Service detail and ultimately Chief of the Secret Service; decorated Viet Nam vet (Bronze Star). Patty Conrad knew him when she worked in the Bush 41 WH. Says he was a very nice person. Sat at the table with Bob Gallo and Phil Piccigallo. It is interesting that after all these years I have become somewhat of an icon to the older and younger Italian men and women, many of whom wanted their picture taken with me. White House finally clears me to testify tomorrow
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May 27, 2010 - testify before House Energy and Commerce Committee on synthetic biology related to the Science paper by Venter et al on the synthesis of Mycoplasma mycoides and insertion into a Mycoplasma capricolum to ultimately have a totally synthetic bacteria. Testified with Craig Venter, Jay Kiessling (Berkley), Greg Kraebnick (Hastings), Drew Endy (Stanford). Hearing went extremely well. Some posturing by GOPs on Health Care reform, but in general, we all did very well.
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June 5, 2010 - Met with Rick Klausner at my house for catch-up. He is in town to meet with OSTP regarding preparedness issues similar to the types that I have been working on with Heidi Avery.