Cole Statement After Receiving Association of Independent Research Institutes 2025 Public Service Award

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | CONTACT: Olivia Porcaro 202-225-6165

Norman, Oklahoma – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) released the following statement after being awarded the Association of Independent Research Institutes 2025 Public Service Award:

“Medical research is essential to strengthening health care, developing new treatments and cures, combatting diseases, improving the well-being of Americans, and saving more lives. This is why, as former Chairman of the House Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations subcommittee, working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, we increased funding for medical research at the National Institutes of Health by nearly 50 percent in just seven years,” said Congressman Cole.

“In Oklahoma, we have two institutes that are members of the Association of Independent Research Institutes: the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation and the Laureate Institute for Brain Research. Both conduct life-changing biomedical research.

“Biomedical research is an issue I am extremely passionate about, and I will always advocate for robust funding to discover new treatments and cures to better the health of the American people and ensure future generations are free of today’s diseases and chronic conditions. 

“It is truly an honor to be awarded the 2025 AIRI Public Service Award, and I want to thank the Association of Independent Research Institutes for all of the important work they do to improve the health of our nation.”

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