PRINTER'S NO. 1655
No. 218 Session of 2007
INTRODUCED BY MELLOW, DECEMBER 12, 2007
INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, DECEMBER 12, 2007
A RESOLUTION 1 Recognizing the life accomplishments and extraordinary 2 contributions of David J. Williams to the vaccine industry in 3 the United States. 4 WHEREAS, David J. Williams, born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, 5 earned an accounting degree from the University of Scranton in 6 1973 and joined Connaught Laboratories in 1978 as the manager of 7 financial services; and 8 WHEREAS, As a member of the executive team, Mr. Williams 9 distinguished himself as a leader, willing to make courageous 10 decisions to build the vaccine industry, and as such, was named 11 chief operating officer of Connaught Laboratories in 1989; and 12 WHEREAS, Mr. Williams has successfully steered the company 13 through several mergers and acquisitions, increasing the 14 organization from 100 employees and sales of just over $5 15 million in 1978, to the creation of today's sanofi pasteur, the 16 world's largest vaccine manufacturer with 11,000 employees and 17 more than $4 billion in sales in 2007; and 18 WHEREAS, Under Mr. William's guidance, more than one billion
1 doses of sanofi pasteur's lifesaving vaccines are administered 2 to more than 500 million people around the world each year, 3 representing more than 25% of the global vaccine market; and 4 WHEREAS, Mr. Williams has encouraged innovation and has been 5 at the forefront of the development of many of the world's 6 vaccines, including the world's first licensed conjugate and 7 combination vaccines, vaccines to protect against meningitis and 8 Haemophilus influenza type b, and most recently, a vaccine to 9 combat avian influenza; and 10 WHEREAS, Mr. Williams recognized his company's ability to 11 address current and future public health needs by investing in a 12 robust research and development program and an ambitious 13 production plan for pandemic preparedness in the event that a 14 public health emergency strikes the United States; and 15 WHEREAS, Mr. Williams has been a visionary in the vaccine 16 industry, building the domestic infrastructure necessary to 17 protect millions of Americans from deadly diseases and showing a 18 commitment to vaccines that goes beyond his own company to the 19 broader industry and to public health around the world; and 20 WHEREAS, In 1986, Mr. Williams served as a passionate 21 advocate for the survival of the vaccine industry, which was 22 being diminished by lawsuits, and as the industry point person 23 for negotiation of The National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 24 1986, which established the Vaccine Injury Compensation Trust 25 Fund; and 26 WHEREAS, Mr. Williams, in his dedication to the larger 27 immunization community, created the Vaccine Policy Committee of 28 the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America and is 29 a founding member of the Partnership for Prevention, a leading 30 organization of public and private sector representatives who 20070S0218R1655 - 2 -
1 focus on preventative health care policies; and 2 WHEREAS, Mr. Williams served as the first liaison member of 3 the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices to the United 4 States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which sets 5 immunization policy in the United States; and 6 WHEREAS, Mr. Williams has also served on the board of 7 directors of the Biotechnology Industry Organization, Blue Cross 8 of Northeastern Pennsylvania, the Hospital Service Association 9 of Northeastern Pennsylvania and on the Board of Regents of the 10 University of Scranton and is one of the founding board members 11 of the Medical Education Development Consortium; and 12 WHEREAS, Mr. Williams has cultivated a culture of community 13 involvement at sanofi pasteur and demonstrated a commitment to 14 philanthropy through the company's contributions to United Way 15 and donations of vaccines through UNICEF, the GAVI Alliance, the 16 World Health Organization's Global Polio Eradication Initiative 17 and various humanitarian relief efforts; and 18 WHEREAS, Mr. Williams has been committed to the economic 19 growth and development of this Commonwealth and to expanding the 20 campus in Swiftwater to maintain a domestic manufacturing base 21 for many vaccines, including influenza; and 22 WHEREAS, Under his guidance, sanofi pasteur has grown to be 23 the largest private employer in Monroe County and is a purchaser 24 of more than $145 million in goods and services from 25 Pennsylvania-based vendors; and 26 WHEREAS, Mr. Williams is a true champion not only of sanofi 27 pasteur, but also of the vaccine industry and the public health 28 benefits of immunizations across the globe; and 29 WHEREAS, On January 16, 2008, after 30 years of service, 30 David J. Williams will retire as the chairman, president and 20070S0218R1655 - 3 -
1 chief executive officer of sanofi pasteur; therefore be it 2 RESOLVED, That the Senate of Pennsylvania commend David J. 3 Williams for his distinguished career and extraordinary 4 leadership as chairman, president and chief executive officer of 5 sanofi pasteur and for his tireless efforts toward the 6 advancement of immunizations and the eradication of vaccine- 7 preventable diseases. K27L82GRH/20070S0218R1655 - 4 -