[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 159 (Tuesday, December 13, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2514-E2515]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    CONGRESSIONAL GLAUCOMA CAUCUS TRIBUTE TO STANLEY J. BUD GRANT, 
     PRESIDENT & CEO, FRIENDS OF THE CONGRESSIONAL GLAUCOMA CAUCUS 
                               FOUNDATION

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 13, 2005

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, a few years ago, several of my colleagues 
and I voiced our concerns about glaucoma and its devastating affects to 
Mr. Stanley Grant. What I will present today is the outcome of that 
encounter. I am pleased to share with this distinguished body the 
outstanding work of a responsive and caring citizen, Mr. Stanley J. Bud 
Grant. Mr. Grant is the President and CEO of the Friends of the 
Congressional Glaucoma Caucus Foundation. His leadership has brought to 
this endeavor the vision, the energy and the enthusiasm that has led 
the Foundation to achieve considerable success. As one of the Founding 
Members of the Congressional Glaucoma Caucus, a non-partisan body, I 
have observed the work of the foundation, first hand, and have watched 
the Congressional Glaucoma Caucus grow to more than 80 Members.
  The mission of the Foundation is to serve as the action arm of the 
Congressional Glaucoma Caucus by providing free glaucoma and vision 
screenings for at risk groups in congressional districts throughout our 
beloved country. Screenings for diabetes and hypertension, both risk 
factors for glaucoma, are documented in the family history, with these 
screenings frequently being incorporated into the screening protocol.
  The emphasis has been on glaucoma screenings since this dreaded eye 
disease affects more than 3,000,000 Americans and is a silent thief of 
sight. It can attack children, but is more commonly seen in the later 
years. Far too many of our people go blind from this disease without 
even knowing they had it. The true tragedy is that their sight could 
have been preserved if they had been screened and the disease caught in 
the early stages. Picture if you will, the boundless joy that the 
patient and the staff experience when sight is saved.
  Since 2001, more than 82,000 men and women from all walks of life 
have been screened. The early signs of glaucoma were detected in 11,500 
individuals. Another 13,000

[[Page E2515]]

had vision problems other than glaucoma. Equally important was the fact 
that 57,000 were given the good news that no eye disease was detected.
  One outstanding initiative has been the Student Sight Savers Program. 
Through this project grants have been awarded to 46 medical schools and 
teaching hospitals across the country. The aim is to expose medical 
students to a clinical specialty, ophthalmology in their earlier years 
of medical school. Through this community service initiative, medical 
students across the country have screened as many as a quarter of the 
patients.
  We, thus bear witness to a man and his dream. A dream we shared. He 
joined with many of my colleagues, and myself in seeking to preserve 
the sight of our people. He convinced glaucoma specialists, other 
experts and a team of volunteers to follow his lead. Mr. Grant also had 
the unwavering and committed support of his wife, Mrs. Eleanor Beers 
Grant. She not only lent him encouragement, but she became quite active 
in the affairs of the Foundation.
  In his indefatigable pursuit, he challenges all of us to match his 
efforts. He is, moreover, sensitive to the cultural strands of our 
great nation and the need to seek out and care for those who lack 
health care services. He has taken his staff on mobile vans into what 
would be considered inaccessible areas.
  This great body has honored many a deserving individual. I am 
extremely proud to offer a special tribute and recognize Stanley J. Bud 
Grant for all that he has done and will continue to do on behalf of the 
American people.

                          ____________________