[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 68 (Friday, May 26, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E996-E997]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING THE IMPACT OF JUVENILE DIABETES ON AMERICA'S YOUTH AND 
               SUPPORTING AN INCREASE IN FY07 NIH FUNDING

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ELIJAH E. CUMMINGS

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 25, 2006

  Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the impact of 
juvenile diabetes on America's youth.
  Typically diagnosed during childhood and adolescent years, juvenile 
diabetes, also referred to as Type I diabetes, currently affects more 
than 3 million Americans and more then 13,000 children are diagnosed 
each year.
  Juvenile diabetes is an autoimmune disease which attacks and 
annihilates the insulin producing cells in the pancreas.
  Since insulin aids in breaking down glucose, when the insulin 
producing cells are destroyed, glucose accumulates in the blood and can 
lead to multiple health problems, including blindness, heart failure, 
nerve damage, limb amputations, and kidney failure.
  As a result of this chronic illness, individuals with juvenile 
diabetes must endure a lifetime of maintaining their glucose levels 
through daily insulin injections, blood glucose monitoring, and a 
healthy diet. Sadly, although insulin aids in prolonging the life of a 
diabetic, it cannot prevent the complications associated with the 
disease. Even worse, is the fact that a cure for diabetes has yet to be 
discovered.

  Mr. Speaker, I recently had the opportunity to speak with a family 
from my district, the Frinks, whose young daughter is afflicted with 
juvenile diabetes. Based on the wealth of knowledge she possessed about 
her condition and her ability to convey it so lucidly, I must admit 
that she left a lasting impression on me.
  During our conversation, she revealed the extent of how different the 
life of a young diabetic is in comparison with non-diabetics. For 
instance, unlike other children, she must constantly check her glucose 
levels and give herself lifesaving insulin when necessary. She also 
revealed the critical impact her diet and other regular ``child'' 
activities played in her life. Unfortunately, it is reported that many 
Type I diabetics are susceptible to ridicule by their peers due to an 
overall lack of knowledge about the disease or because they are 
``different''.
  By the end of our conversation, I was in awe. Not only did this young 
girl exemplify maturity well beyond her years, she also exhibited an 
unbelievable amount of courage in living with this often debilitating 
disease.
  Mr. Speaker, recent studies have shown that compared with non-
diabetic youth, juvenile diabetics are more conscientious about healthy 
living, nutritional requirements, and responsibility based on their 
lifestyles. This was definitely true with this young lady--she was 
a fount of knowledge about wellness and prevention--at age seven! That 
is why I was so amazed--and applauded her courageousness.

  Mr. Speaker, the life of this remarkable young woman represents the 
life experiences of many young people coping with juvenile diabetes. 
Because of her story and millions like hers, we must continue to work 
more diligently toward finding and funding a cure for the disease.

[[Page E997]]

  I want to applaud an organization that has been fighting on behalf of 
these children. Since its inception in 1970, the Juvenile Diabetes 
Research Foundation International has raised over $900 million for 
diabetes research. I commend its efforts and will continue to support 
it in its commitment to finding a cure for the disease.
  But we must do more for a disease that has become almost epidemic for 
children and adults. Twenty million Americans suffer from diabetes, 
which is the leading cause of kidney failure, adult blindness, non-
traumatic amputations, heart attacks and stroke. In fact, every 30 
seconds a new case of diabetes is diagnosed and over 1.3 million 
Americans are newly-diagnosed each year.
  But for those of my colleagues who make decisions by the numbers, I 
offer these grim statistics. Diabetes costs this country $132 billion 
per year, almost five times the entire National Institutes of Health 
$28.5 billion budget. This disease also accounts for 30% of every 
Medicare dollar.
  The Diabetes Research Working Group mandated by Congress called for 
$1.6 billion in funding for NIH diabetes research, but actual funding 
hovers around $1 billion. Accordingly, I support a 5% increase in the 
FY 2007 budget for NIH funding for juvenile diabetes research so that 
we may all reap the benefits of diabetes research.
  Needless to say, we must dedicate more resources to fighting this 
disease--for the children and adults who suffer today and the millions 
who will suffer tomorrow. I believe that with sufficient funding of 
research initiatives, we come closer to finding a cure, and at the very 
least lessen the suffering. I urge my colleagues to do the same.
  Mr. Speaker, one other area I would like to discuss is the longer 
survivability and quality of life of all diabetics. Due to 
technological advancements, insulin injections have come a long way 
since the needle and syringe method.
  In fact, in the early 1990's, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 
approved an insulin pump, which delivers insulin to the blood stream in 
small intervals throughout the day through a tiny needle stuck under 
the skin on the left side of the abdomen. Insulin pumps have been 
proven to aid in stabilizing glucose control and reduce episodes of 
hypoglycemia.
  Recently, continuous glucose meters have been developed to provide 
diabetics instantaneous access to testing blood glucose levels. Recent 
studies have proven that individuals who utilize continuous glucose 
meters spend more time in the normal glucose range compared with 
patients using conventional finger stick blood glucose methods.

  Presently, medical researchers are working on fusing these two 
devices to create an artificial pancreas that would regulate glucose 
levels in the body of someone with diabetes by continuously measuring 
the level of glucose and dispensing doses based on those measurements. 
Again, if developed, this device would contribute in augmenting the 
quality of life for Type I and Type II diabetics.
  Mr. Speaker, these life-altering inventions only come through 
research. That is why, again, I support the 5% increase in NIH funding 
for the FY 07 budget and I encourage my colleagues to join me in this 
effort. America's youth is our future and it is up to us to invest in 
their health and education in order to cultivate steadfast leaders of 
tomorrow--rich in knowledge, morals, and wellness.

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