A Memory in La Jolla, California presents: “Hope lies in dreams, in imagination, and in the courage of those who dare to make dreams come true . » The memorial pays tribute to the great virologist Jonas Salk (Salk.edu). Although many recognize Salk as the man who successfully eradicated polio, he also contributed to much medical research. A comprehensive study of Jonas Salk includes his early life, early career, work against polio, and his later career and life. Daniel and Dora Press Salk became the parents of Jonas Salk on October 28, 1914. Daniel, a women's clothing designer, provided his new family with a small apartment in Manhattan (Bankston 11). As the eldest, Salk received his mother's undying attention. When Salk was two years old, the first major polio infection began in the United States; the concentration was strongest in New York, home of the Salks (Hargrove 8-9). No mother was more careful than Dora Salk. Although both parents were relatively poorly educated, they placed a high value on education. Mrs. Salk kept Jonas indoors not only to protect him from the dreaded illnesses, but also to satisfy his curiosity and promote learning. She provided Salk with literature and logic problems throughout his childhood (Barter 16-18). Salk entered the free but prestigious Townsend Harris High School at the age of 22, then graduated three years later (Bankston 13-14). He refused his mother's preference for rabbinical school and decided to major in pre-law at the City College of New York to become a member of Congress (Kluger 27). After having fun in science classes, he decided to switch to pre-med and become a researcher (Barter 20). He graduated in 1934 and entered the New York University School of Me...... middle of paper ...... inoculated with Salk's vaccine. The polio infection rate was eighty-six percent lower than in 1954 (Carter 351). Salk began working at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in La Jolla, California. The institute would be a haven for scientists, philosophers and artists. Work there focused on both cancer and AIDS research (Bankston 43). Salk spent most of his life in the laboratory rather than with his wife and three sons. Donna and Jonas Salk separated in 1968. He then married Françoise Gilot in 1970. He also wrote four books in the 1970s (Barter 90-91). He continued to work diligently until his death from congestive heart failure on June 23, 1995. Salk had the imagination, dreams, and courage to tackle many of the most important issues in the United States. His ambitions and successes will live on through the thousands of lives he saved.