[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 105 (Monday, September 11, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1439]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    CELEBRATING THE 35TH YEAR OF THE JERRY LEWIS MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY 
                                TELETHON

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                            HON. JERRY LEWIS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 11, 2000

  Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I would like to offer praise 
today for a man with whom I am proud to share a name, a man who has 
shown the world for 35 years that Americans will rally in huge numbers 
to help those in need. I am speaking, of course, of my friend Jerry 
Lewis, the consummate entertainer, and his world-renowned telethon for 
the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
  Since 1965, Jerry Lewis has taken to the airwaves to raise funds to 
fight neuromuscular disease, setting a standard for fund-raising that 
has become a part of our culture. In the 2000 version of the event on 
September 3-4, Lewis and his ``Jerry's Kids'' and a multitude of 
entertainers raised a record $54.1 million in pledges. The MDA will 
operate 183 offices and research centers nationwide with these and 
other private donations--the organization does not request or receive 
government funding.
  The diseases combated by Jerry Lewis and MDA--40 of them, including 
``Lou Gehrig's disease'' and myasthenia gravis--affect tens of 
thousands of people throughout the United States. The MDA efforts can 
be found nationwide as well. I am proud to say the Loma Linda 
University Medical Center in my district has one of two Southern 
California clinics that serve 1,500 adults and children.
  The donations raised by Jerry Lewis for the MDA go much further than 
treating these diseases. Researchers funded by MDA have discovered a 
gene that controls one form of neuromuscular illness, and are now 
conducting tests on what forms of gene therapy might be possible.
  It is also through these donations that thousands of children each 
year can get out of their treatment rooms and go to summer camp, where 
they enjoy horse-back riding, canoeing and other activities. At one of 
those camps, in Big Bear Lake in the San Bernardino Mountains in my 
district, children who spend nearly all of their energy fighting 
neuromuscular disease can enjoy the great outdoors because MDA is able 
to pay for a counselor for every camper.
  Because he has been a sentimental success for three decades, and 
because he is very open with his thoughts and emotions, my good friend 
Jerry Lewis has often not been given the respect he deserves by the 
national media. But in cities and towns across the country young 
people, civic groups and many volunteers worked hard to help him make 
this year's telethon a great success. They know that he is a hero who 
is dedicated to saving millions of lives.
  Mr. Speaker, it is always a delight when I pick up the telephone and 
hear a buoyant voice say ``This is Jerry Lewis, how are you doing?'' I 
enjoy telling tourists who peer into my office: ``Of course, I'm the 
real Jerry Lewis.'' Sharing a name with someone who gives so much to 
help millions overcome disease is indeed an honor, and I urge my 
colleagues to honor this American institution by expressing our 
gratitude for his efforts.

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