[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 21 (Wednesday, February 14, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E177]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




INTRODUCTION OF A HOUSE CONTINUING RESOLUTION URGING INCREASED FEDERAL 
            FUNDING FOR JUVENILE (TYPE 1) DIABETES RESEARCH

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                            HON. GENE GREEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 14, 2001

  Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of 
legislation which urges Congress to increase federal funding for Type I 
diabetes, also known as juvenile diabetes.
  Type I diabetes is a devastating illness that affects over 1 million 
Americans, many of whom are diagnosed as children. This serious disease 
robs children of their innocence and independence, and burdens its 
victims with a lifetime of finger-sticks, shots, and fear of dreaded 
complications.
  Even with a strict regimen of insulin injections, blood-glucose 
monitoring, diet and exercise, people with Type I diabetes are at 
severe risk for blindness, kidney failure, amputations, heart disease 
and stroke.
  The burden of diabetes is felt by all Americans. Americans spend $105 
billion each year on the direct and indirect costs of this disease. One 
of every four Medicare dollars is spent on beneficiaries with diabetes, 
and one in ten health care dollars overall are spent on individuals 
with this serious disease.
  There is great promise that a cure for Type I can be found in the 
near future. Advancements in genetic research, transplantation and 
immunology, and research into potential vaccines all hold the potential 
to eliminate Type I diabetes. But if we are to find a cure, we in 
Congress must find the money to pay for it.
  The Diabetes Research Working Group (DRWG), a Congressionally 
appointed panel of experts in diabetes research, issued a report in 
1999 that indicates the need for a significant increase in diabetes 
research. The DRWG recommended a $4.1 billion increase for diabetes 
research over a five year period. Congress must heed this report.
  This legislation I am introducing today recognizes the particular 
burden of Type I diabetes, and the need to follow the recommendations 
of the DRWG. It also recognizes the importance of our partners in the 
private sector, such as the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, 
which has donated more than $326 million to diabetes research since 
1970 and will give $100 million in FY 2001.
  Mr. Speaker, full funding for diabetes research will help eradicate 
this devastating illness, save billions of health care dollars, and end 
the unnecessary suffering of millions of Americans. I urge all of my 
colleagues to join me in our fight to cure Type I diabetes.

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