Celebrating  59 years of funding non-profit organizations that develop innovative and inclusive programs for people with disabilities throughout the State of Rhode Island.

History of the John E. Fogarty Foundation

John Edward Fogarty was born in Providence, Rhode Island on March 23, 1913 to Cora Whelan and John Peter Fogarty. He graduated from LaSalle Academy and attended Providence College. John then joined his older brother and father as an apprentice bricklayer. He subsequently became the President of Bricklayers Union No. 1 and began laying the groundwork for his life in public service. In 1940 John Fogarty was elected to the United States House of Representatives at the age of twenty-seven, defeating an incumbent.

In January of 1947 he was assigned to the Appropriations Committee and soon thereafter became Chairman of the Subcommittee for Labor, Health, Education and Welfare. During his tenure appropriations for the National Institutes of Health rose from $3.5 million in 1946 to $1.5 billion in 1967. In 1955 he directed the first Federal funding of activities in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities in the amount of $750 thousand dollars. That amount would increase to $334 million in 1967.

Wearing his trademark green bow tie, Mr. Fogarty collaborated with his colleague, Senator Lister Hill of Alabama to co-sponsor the Hill-Fogarty “Health for Peace” Bill which provided money for research and training on an international basis. He went on to secure funding to establish the National Institute of Dental Research, the National Library of Medicine and many other research facilities.

JOHN EDWARD FOGARTY, Democrat, of Harmony, R.I., born March 23, 1913, elected in 1940, served succeeding terms until his death in 1967.

“I have seen that clear, united citizen action surrounding any problem impresses the councils of the capital city. In our democratic way of life, there is no force greater than the concerted and collective voice of our citizens.”

John E. Fogarty

Congressman Fogarty developed a professional and personal relationship with the ranking minority member of his sub-committee, Melvin R. Laird of Wisconsin. Their friendship spanned more than a decade and produced landmark legislation that would forever change the landscape of public health policy.

Chosen for his ability as a statesman, as well as his knowledge of health issues and public policy Fogarty was appointed by Presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy and Johnson on numerous occasions to be a Congressional Delegate at the (WHO) World Health Organization meetings held in Geneva, Switzerland.

In the 89th Congress he introduced many bills that were enacted into law. Among them were provisions for:

  • Establishment of the Administration of Aging in the Department of Health, Education and Welfare
  • The National Technical Institute for the Deaf
  • Community Mental Health Centers Act Amendments
  • Control of Drug Abuse
  • Health Research Facilities Amendments
  • Water Pollution Control Act
  • Medical Complex Centers for Heart Disease, Cancer and Stroke
  • Medical Library Assistance Act
  • Health Professional Educational Assistance Act
  • Library Services Act Amendments
  • Model Secondary School for the Deaf Act
  • Vocational Rehabilitation Act.

In addition, he was the original sponsor for the National Foundation on Arts and Humanities and helped to enact the Manpower Act of 1965 and the Economic Opportunity Amendments of 1965.

At the time of his death John Fogarty had introduced legislation that would provide multiphase health screening tests for all Americans 50 and over, legislation to amend the Social Security Act which would increase benefit payments by an average of 50%, amendments to extend and improve programs for child welfare services and bills to improve health education. The Congressman worked tirelessly for his constituents in Rhode Island, across the nation and around the world until his untimely death at his desk in the Longworth House Office Building on January 10, 1967.

The following year Melvin Laird sponsored legislation that brought John Fogarty’s dream to fruition. The bill signed by President Johnson established the John E. Fogarty International Center for Advanced Study in the Health Sciences at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland. The Center began with a budget of $500,000 in 1968 and has grown to over $70 million today. It supports over 5,000 scientists in more than 100 countries throughout the world. For more information please go to: http://www.fic.nih.gov/About/Pages/History.aspx.

Awards
  • Providence College: Honorary Degree of Doctor of Political Science. (1946)
  • American Cancer Society: Distinguished Service Award. (1952)
  • National Committee for Research in Neurological Disorders: Award in appreciation for contributions to the health and welfare of citizens of this country. (1954)
  • R.I. Society for Crippled Children and Adults: Award of Merit for work in the area of research on crippling diseases. (1955)
  • Welfare League for Retarded Children: National Award Citation for distinguished service. (1955)
  • United Cerebral Palsy Association: National Distinguished Service Award. (1956)
  • American Vocational Association: National Award for efforts in the field of vocational education. (1956)
  • Children’s Cancer Research Foundation: Award for leadership in medical research. (1956)
  • National Association for Retarded Children, Inc.: National Award for work with children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. (1956)
  • American Association of School Superintendents: National Award for efforts benefitting federally impacted school districts. (1956)
  • Benevolent Society for Retarded Children, Inc.: National Award for sponsoring beneficial legislation in the field. (1956)
  • Disabled American Veterans: The Bousquet Trophy for outstanding service to disabled American veterans. 1956
  • American Vocational Association: National Award for distinguished service in the field of vocational education. (1957)
  • Georgetown University: Award of membership in Scholastic Honor Society of Georgetown Dental School. (1957)
  • R.I. College of Pharmacy: Honorary Degree, Doctor of Science. (1957)
  • American Hospital Association: Awarded honorary membership in recognition of his outstanding efforts toward the improvements of the Nation’s heath. (1957)
  • R.I. Hospital Association: Awarded honorary membership in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the advancement of the health and welfare of the people of this country. (1957)
  • American Dental Association: Awarded honorary membership in recognition of his support of research and health measures. (1957)
  • American Public Health Association: Awarded the first Presidential Citation for exceptional services to public health. (1957)
  • R.I. Association for Mental Health, Inc.: Award for work toward the improvement of the Nation’s health. (1957)
  • Davis Memorial Goodwill Industries: National Award for Good Will Toward the Handicapped. (1958)
  • National Epilepsy League Inc.: National Citation. (1958)
  • National Conference on Social Welfare: Award for outstanding efforts. (1958)
  • National Tuberculosis Association: Award for devoted public service. (1958)
  • American Public Welfare: Award for statesmanship and leadership in areas representing the growth of the social conscience of America. (1958)
  • National Rehabilitation Association: President’s Award. (1958)
  • World Health Organization: Appointed by the President as congressional advisor to the U.S. delegation to the WHO Assembly held in Geneva, Switzerland, May (1957), (1959), and (1962), and in New Delhi, India in February (1961).
  • American Rheumatism Association and Arthritis and Rheumatism Foundation: Award for supporting research and professional education. (1959)
  • University of Rhode Island: Honorary Degree, Doctor of Humane Letters. (1959)
  • Bryant College: Honorary Degree, Doctor of Humane Letters. (1959)
  • American Gastroenterological Association and the World Organization of Gastroenterology: First Citation Award for dedication to medical research and health for peace efforts throughout the world. (1959)
  • American Public Health Association, Inc.: Presentation of Lasker Award for extraordinary public service in championing the advancement of medical research and public health as a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives. (1959)
  • National Multiple Sclerosis Society: Award of Distinction for service to the fight against M S. (1959)
  • American Association of Retired Persons: National Award. (1960)
  • New York Medical College: Award of Centennial Medal. (1960)
  • American Psychiatric Association: Honorary fellowship. (1960)
  • U.S. Department of Labor: Award of Merit. (1960)
  • Graduate School of Library Science of Drexel Institute of Technology: Distinguished Achievement Award. (1960)
  • Muscular Dystrophy Association of America, Inc.: National Award. (1960)
  • R.I. Association for Retarded Children, Inc.: Dedication of headquarters building, to be known as “The John E. Fogarty Center.” (1960)
  • Association of Military Surgeons of the U.S.: Elected honorary member and awarded medal. (1960)
  • Providence College: Awarded first Veritas Medal. (1960)
  • American Association of Dental Schools: Honorary membership. (1961)
  • National Cystic Fibrosis Research Foundation: National Award for Distinguished Service. (1961)
  • Brown University: Honorary Degree, Doctor of Laws. (1961)
  • Salve Regina College: Honorary Degree, Doctor of Laws. (1961)
  • Brandeis University: Honorary Degree, Doctor of Laws. (1961)
  • U.S. Department of Labor: Appointed as representative to U.S. Labor Attache Conference. Rome, Italy. (1961)
  • American Cancer Society: Award for distinguished service. (1961)
  • American College of Dentists: Honorary fellowship. (1961)
  • Rhode Island Medical Society: Elected honorary member. (1962)
  • New York Medical College: Honorary Degree, Doctor of Science. (1962)
  • Rhode Island College: Honorary Degree, Doctor of Pedagogy. (1962)
  • St. Francis College: Honorary Degree of Laws. (1962)
  • University of Rhode Island: Dedication of the John E. Fogarty Health Science Building for the Colleges of Pharmacy and Nursing. (1962)
  • Women’s Medical College of Pennsylvania: Honorary Degree, Doctor of Laws. (1963)
  • Jewish War Veterans of U.S.A.: Award to outstanding Catholic for work in brotherhood. (1963)
  • World Health Organization: Appointed by President Kennedy as congressional advisor to WHO Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland. (1963)
  • International Congress on Education of the Deaf: Award of appreciation for efforts on behalf of the deaf. (1963)
  • American Association of Retired Persons, International: Award for Distinguished Service. Copenhagen, Denmark. (1963)
  • Georgetown University: Honorary Degree, Doctor of Laws. (1963)
  • National Hemophilia Foundation: Humanitarian Award. (1963)
  • University of Notre Dame: Honorary Degree, Doctor of Laws. (1964)
  • Italian Government: Decree from the President of Italy conferring title “Commendatore al Merito della Repubblicaa Italiana.” (1964)
  • National Cystic Fibrosis Research Foundation: Awards, (1963) and (1964)
  • Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation: International Award in Field of Mental Retardation. (1964)
  • American Heart Association: Award of Merit, the first bestowed by the National Association. (1964)
  • New York University: New York University Medal in appreciation of meritorious service to his countrymen. (1964)
  • Gallaudet College: Presentation of Silver Medallion on occasion of 100th anniversary. (1964)
  • Association of American Medical Colleges: Merit Award Medallion for signal service rendered to American Medical Education. (1964)
  • World Health Organization: Appointed by President as congressional advisor to WHO Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland for the sixth time. (1965)
  • Manhattan College: Honorary Degree, Doctor of Laws. (1965)
  • Council for Exceptional Children: Award (1965)
  • Teachers College, Columbia University: Medal for Distinguished Service. (1965)
  • United States Jaycees: Member National Advisory Board for Mental Health and Mental Retardation Programs. (1965)
  • National Association for Mental Health, Inc.: Honorary membership. (1965)
  • National Society for Crippled Children and Adults: Award. (1965)
  • American Heart Association, Inc.: Heart of the Year Award. The White House. (1966)
  • Loyola University: Honorary Degree, Doctor of Laws. (1966)
  • World Health Organization: Appointed by President Johnson as congressional advisor to WHO Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland. (1966)
  • College of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery: Honorary Degree, Doctor of Science. (1966)
  • Howard University: Honorary Degree, Doctor of Laws. (1966)
  • National Council of Senior Citizens: Award. (1966)
  • Gallaudet College: Honorary Degree, Doctor of Laws. (1966)
  • University of the Pacific: Honorary Degree, Doctor of Science. (1966)