[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 48 (Thursday, April 27, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E634]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF NATIONAL CYSTIC FIBROSIS AWARENESS 
                                 MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. MELISSA A. HART

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 25, 2006

  Ms. HART. Madam Speaker, today, as we consider H. Con Res. 357 to 
support the goals of National Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Awareness Month in 
May, I would like to bring attention to such efforts in my district and 
in western Pennsylvania.
  One such family in my district, the Nicotras, are doing just that. 
``Hayden's Heroes'' was formed in 2005 by Sam and Rhea Nicotra to 
support CF research. The Nicotras' grandson, Hayden Klein, was 
diagnosed with CF in 2004, when he was just one week old. The Kleins 
and their family faced the questions familiar to many CF patients and 
their loved ones about genetic factors, the difficulty in diagnosing CF 
and, of course, the challenges in treating and managing the disease.
  The Kleins had no history of the disease on either side of the family 
and, since CF patients can look healthy, there is no way to diagnose 
the disease just by looking at him or her. Clearly, cystic fibrosis is 
stealthy; we have much to learn about its origins, how to treat it and, 
ultimately, how to defeat it.
  Fortunately, many Americans are committed to providing the resources 
to wage this battle, and, with National CF Month approaching, it is 
important that we recognize the many local resources to support this 
important task.
  The local chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is an active 
participant in the national Great Strides walk to raise funds for CS 
research--participants across the country have succeeded in raising 
more than $150 million since 1989. The local chapter will participate 
in this year's walk next month at North Park Lake in my district.
  The local CF Foundation office also encourages friends and families 
of CF patients to provide support for such resources and research, and 
the Nicotras have been local leaders with Hayden's Heroes, which is 
hosting a ``Dancing with the Pittsburgh Stars'' event to raise 
awareness of the disease and support local resources, and a local 
talent-training organization in my district, the In Tune Studio, is 
also working on an event to support CF research.
  It is through such community efforts that we will understand more 
about CF and treat this disease, and I commend the dedication and 
tenacity of the local chapter of the CF Foundation and, in particular, 
the Nicotras and their family, for advancing this important cause.
  I ask my colleagues in the United States House of Representatives to 
join me in recognizing National Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Awareness Month 
and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. It is an honor to represent the 
Fourth Congressional District of Pennsylvania and a pleasure to salute 
a worthy cause like the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

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