Congressman John Katko co-authored legislation introduced Friday to award COVID-19 vaccine developers and researchers with the Congressional Gold Medal, the nation’s highest honor, according to a statement from his office.
Key researchers at SUNY Upstate Medical University and the hospital’s Dr. Stephen Thomas, who led clinical trials for the Pfizer vaccine, would be among the honorees. In a statement, Katko said those behind the vaccine helped respond to one of the country’s biggest challenges.
“The individuals who helped develop COVID-19 vaccines that are now saving lives and putting our nation on the road to recovery are well deserving of this high honor,” Katko said in a release from his office Friday.
Katko sponsored the bill with a Democratic representative from Illinois. Similar bipartisan legislations is being introduced in the Senate.