[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 97 (Monday, July 12, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1513-E1514]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      LUPUS FOUNDATION OF AMERICA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. CARRIE P. MEEK

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 12, 1999

  Mrs. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise to welcome to Washington 
the members of the Lupus Foundation of America, and my friend and 
Chairman of the Lupus Foundation of America--Mr. Terry Bell. The 
delegates are here this week to inform Members of Congress and their 
staff about the cataclysmic effects of lupus and to request support for 
my bill, H.R. 762--the Lupus Research and Care Amendments Act of 1999.
  The members of the Lupus Foundation have long been on the front line 
of the fight against lupus, a devastating disease that affects over 1.4 
million Americans. The Lupus Foundation is a national voluntary health 
agency, with more than 100 affiliate chapters across the country, 
representing people with lupus, their families, friends and others who 
are concerned about this destructive disease.
  I know something about lupus. I lost a sister to lupus. It is because 
of my experience with this disease that I have introduced H.R. 762. 
This bill expands and intensifies the research effort of the NIH to 
diagnose, treat, and eventually cure lupus. My bill increases the 
funding for lupus research and education, and it establishes a grant 
program to expand the availability of lupus service. It also protects 
the poor and the uninsured from financial devastation, by limiting 
their annual out-of-pocket expenses for lupus services.
  Lupus is an auto-immune disease that afflicts women nine times more 
than it does men, and has its most significant impact on women during 
the childbearing years. About 1.4 million Americans have some form of 
lupus--one out of every 185 Americans. An estimated 1 in 250 African 
American women between the ages of 15 and 65 develop lupus.
  Thousands of women with lupus die each year. Many other victims 
suffer debilitating pain and fatigue, making it difficult to maintain 
employment and lead normal lives. Perhaps the most discouraging aspect 
of lupus for sufferers and family members is the fact that there is no 
cure. Lupus is devastating not only to the victim, but to family 
members as well.
  Since my arrival in the House in 1993, I have urged the Congress to 
direct the NIH to mount an all-out campaign against lupus. We can and 
must do more this year to conquer lupus, while offering treatment and 
protection against financial devastation to the victims of lupus.
  Without struggle, there can be no progress. The members of the Lupus 
Foundation are leading the struggle to inform Members of

[[Page E1514]]

Congress about lupus and to help find a cure. In the past, 
Congressional support has proven to be an important factor in providing 
the much needed funds to help the National Institutes of Health make 
important medical breakthroughs in the fight against lupus. Mr. 
Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in welcoming the members and 
friends of the Lupus Foundation to Washington. I also urge my 
colleagues to sign on as a cosponsor of H.R. 762. With your help, we 
will win this fight.

                          ____________________