NICHD Renamed for Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Advocate for Institute's Founding

In conjunction with the celebration of the 45^th anniversary of the National Institute for Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), a renaming and dedication ceremony was held on March 3, 2008, to reflect the significant contributions of Eunice Kennedy Shriver to the field of Developmental Disabilities. Along with members of the network, AUCD Executive Director George Jesien was present during the ceremony. Marsha Seltzer, Director of the Waisman Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, represented the network of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Centers and provided remarks honoring and thanking Mrs. Shriver for her lifelong commitment, advocacy, and leadership on behalf of persons with intellectual disabilities. Dr. Seltzer also unveiled the new name of the Mental Retardation Developmental Disabilities Centers- The Eunice Kennedy Shriver Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Centers (IDDRCs) as part of the celebration. In her remarks, Dr. Seltzer highlighted some of the pioneering scientific work conducted by the Centers that has improved the lives of countless individuals and the promise of new findings in the years to come, due Mrs. Shriver's vision and remarkable efforts to establish the NICHD and the network of research centers.

In honor of Mrs. Shriver:

the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development is now the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD). The NICHD has unveiled a new logo to reflect their new name: see the images below for an example.
the Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities Research Centers (MRDDRCs), funded by NICHD, are now the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Centers (IDDRCs).

Following are links to NIH press releases and materials from the event.

In Honor of Eunice Kennedy Shriver (NIH article)
NICHD Renamed for Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Advocate for Institute's Founding Event to Commemorate Her Founding Role (NIH press release)
An Event to Honor Eunice Kennedy Shriver (program booklet)
Eunice Kennedy Shriver Biography (From the Special Olympics)
Public Law 110-154 Renaming the NICHD

Below are pictures from the Ceremony.

	Sen. Ted Kennedy speaks about his sister's contributions to the field of disabilities
	Mrs. Shriver and son Timothy listen to remarks
	NIH Director, Dr. Elias Zerhouni, announces the newly renamed Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
	Dr. Marsha Mailick Seltzer announces the newly renamed Eunice Kennedy Shriver Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Centers
	Dr. Zerhouni, Dr. Seltzer, and special guests applaud the changes in honor of Mrs. Shriver
	Mrs. Shriver delivers remarks