[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 87 (Friday, June 18, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1334-E1335]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




TRIBUTE TO STOCKTON MORRIS, PENNSYLVANIA DELEGATE TO THE FIRST JUVENILE 
                  DIABETES CONGRESS IN WASHINGTON, DC

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. CURT WELDON

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 18, 1999

  Mr. WELDON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute 
to Stockton Morris, a 9 year old student at the Coopertown Elementary 
School who has just completed the third grade. On Sunday, June 20, 
Stockton will be traveling to Washington, DC as a Pennsylvania delegate 
to the First Juvenile Diabetes Congress to raise the awareness of the 
Congress and the country about diabetes.
  Diabetes is a devastating disease which affects over 16 million 
Americans. Even though 1,700 people are diagnosed with diabetes each 
day, half of those who have this disease do not even know it. Unlike 
many other chronic and potentially deadly diseases, there is so much 
more that we can do to tackle diabetes--much of it simply through 
education and awareness. Most important, however, is the need for 
increased funding for diabetes research at NIH and CDC so that we may 
someday discover a cure to eradicate this disease.
  I have heard from many of Stockton's friends and teachers. All of 
them applaud him for his character and courage. Susan Mingey, a teacher 
in Stockton's school, wrote to me saying, ``As a teacher in Stockton's 
school, I have watched him for almost four years carry himself with 
dignity and honor as he accepts the day to day routine of `highs and 
lows' with needles. I have listened to him explain his disease to 
peers, teachers, and Coopertown's youngest students with the knowledge 
and authority of one who is in control of his disease.'' Karen Brimer, 
Stockton's Learning Support Teacher, wrote to say, ``I have seen 
Stockton grow into such a wonderful young person. He is full of 
knowledge, wisdom, and zest for life. I often look at him as my teacher 
when it comes to learning about diabetes.''
  Stockton has worked patiently, quietly, and courageously to raise the 
awareness of his schoolmates regarding this disease. He has even raised 
money for research to find a cure. On Sunday, Stockton will be taking 
his efforts to a new level, traveling to Washington, DC to raise the 
awareness of the country and the Congress about the need for increased 
research dollars.
  Three years ago, I myself was diagnosed with adult-onset diabetes, a 
disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin--a 
hormone which breaks down sugar and converts it to energy. I was 
diagnosed after I underwent a diabetes screening test after former 
Speaker Newt Gingrich urged me and my colleagues to become more 
involved with fighting diabetes. I have type II diabetes, the most 
common form, and can easily treat and control my condition through 
medication, exercise, and diet. Since then I have worked as a leading 
Member of the House diabetes caucus to do what Stockton has been so 
successful at--teach others about the disease, and raise awareness 
about the need for increased research dollars.
  In April of this year, I introduced legislation that will help us to 
fight this deadly disease by raising public awareness and provide 
increased funding for research. This innovative legislation, called the 
Stamp Out Diabetes Act, would create a new first-class postage stamp to 
raise funds for diabetes research. Under my legislation, supporters of 
diabetes research would voluntarily pay between 34 cents and 41 cents 
for the special stamp. The additional penny to eight cents would be 
earmarked for diabetes research at the National Institutes of Health, 
after the administrative costs incurred by the postal service are 
subtracted.

[[Page E1335]]

  My hope is that Americans will realize the importance of funding this 
type of research and will show their support by paying a few extra 
pennies to mail a letter. With millions of Americans taking part in 
this program, it is my hope that we can raise as much as $10 million in 
additional funding for diabetes research. As we struggle to balance the 
budget and reduce the national debt, we have to come up with new and 
innovative ways to fund research in critical areas like diabetes. By 
allowing individuals to voluntarily help the cause of diabetes 
research, my legislation will help to fund this life-saving research.
  Not only will the stamp help to raise much-needed funding for 
diabetes research--at no expense to taxpayers--but it will also help to 
raise the public's awareness about the disease. Perhaps it will even 
prompt some individuals to undergo diabetes screenings and catch the 
disease in its early stages. With innovative projects such as the 
diabetes stamp, combined with the work and support of young leaders 
like Stockton Morris, we will indeed be able to find a cure for 
diabetes as we enter the new Millennium.
  And so I rise today to applaud this extraordinary young man. He is a 
tribute to his family, his school, and his community. His continuing 
advocacy on behalf of the diabetes community is an immeasurable benefit 
to our common cause--finding a cure for diabetes. In conclusion, I 
would like to thank Stockton for all of his work on behalf of the 
diabetes community. I would also like to thank the Juvenile Diabetes 
Foundation for holding this important event. The work that they have 
done has indeed made a difference.

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