[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 33 (Thursday, March 17, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E508]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            COMMENDING THOSE WHO FIGHT BLINDNESS IN AMERICA

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                        HON. ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 17, 2005

  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I wish to recognize the wonderful work 
of The Foundation Fighting Blindness, The National Eye Institute and 
Prevent Blindness America, and I want to commend all patients affected 
by vision impairment and blindness for their perseverance and courage.
  I want to express my admiration for Betti and Carlos Lidsky, who are 
the National Trustees of The Foundation Fighting Blindness, and whose 
lovely family has been affected by a degenerative eye disease. They are 
great examples of perseverance and commitment to the cause of fighting 
blindness and are outstanding national leaders.
  As Co-Chair of the Congressional Vision Caucus, I join my colleagues 
in the constant effort to help individuals who suffer from vision loss.
  My home state of Florida has the highest proportion of senior 
citizens in the United States, and it ranks fifth regarding the number 
of people at highest risk of developing blinding eye disease.
  Vision impairment is a very significant health problem in our nation, 
despite being a preventable condition in half of the cases. It has been 
estimated that the cases of vision impairment and blindness can double 
by the year 2030 if there is no intervention.
  We, as a society, have a profound responsibility to intervene and to 
take action in order to enrich the lives of those currently suffering 
vision impairment and to prevent others from developing visual problems 
in the future.
  We must continue to raise public awareness about the dimension of 
this problem, and to encourage prevention. In addition, we need to 
improve access to quality vision care, treatment, and rehabilitation 
services. We need to support continued education, research, and 
advocacy efforts.
  We have had tremendous breakthroughs in research leading to 
improvements in the treatment of certain visual conditions, which 
improve the quality of life for many visually impaired patients. More 
research can be done, and we will enjoy more success. The National Eye 
Institute has been committed to promoting research since its creation 
in 1968, and we are grateful to its scientists for their achievements 
in the advancement of research for new treatments and cures.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in commending those who work 
tirelessly to fight blindness in America.

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