"The appointment of Harold Varmus as Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) was one of the most important accomplishments of this Administration. From the day he arrived at NIH, he began making a great institution extraordinary. To have a scientist of his brilliance and stature lead NIH has been invaluable to the scientific community and to the American people."

History will judge him as the leader who brought new energy, vision, and excitement to the world's greatest scientific institution. His legacy will be the brightest young scientists of this generation, who now see a future in NIH's laboratories and clinics, and in the nation's other great research institutions. The solid, generous, bipartisan support NIH now enjoys is due in large part to his leadership. We wish him well in his new position."

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