[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 124 (Thursday, September 28, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1872]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         CONGRATULATING DR. MARILYN GASTON AND DR. GAYLE PORTER

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHRIS VAN HOLLEN

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 27, 2006

  Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Dr. Marilyn 
Gaston and Dr. Gayle Porter, co-recipients of the 2006 Purpose Prize. 
Drs. Gaston and Porter have been recognized for innovation and success 
in using their lifetime of experience for the greater good.
  After full careers in different health fields, Drs. Gaston and Porter 
teamed up to address the alarming early death and disability rates 
among middle aged African American women. They wrote Prime Time: The 
African American Woman's Complete Guide to Midllife Health and Wellness 
and then created an innovative health course and support group model. 
``Prime Time Sister Circles'' has become a popular and proven health 
initiative in Maryland and other states, with 68 percent of the 
participants maintaining their health improvements for more than a 
year. This outstanding model should be replicated throughout our 
country.
  I want to recognize the role of The Purpose Prize itself in changing 
our society's view of aging. The positive impact of the five Purpose 
Prize winners on thousands of people in need reveals that America's 
growing older population is one of our greatest untapped resources. In 
2005-06 over 1,200 adults age 60 and over competed for the $100,000 
cash prizes and related rewards of publicity and support for their 
entrepreneurial projects. Civic Ventures, the California-based non-
profit organization that created the prize program, is dedicated to 
generating ideas and creating programs to help society achieve the 
greatest return on experience. I invite my colleagues to join me in 
furthering this view of older adults as significant contributors to our 
communities and nation.
  Mr. Speaker, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Marilyn 
Gaston and Dr. Gayle Porter on receiving the prestigious Purpose Prize 
in its first year and I wish them continued success. I also commend 
Civic Ventures, along with Purpose Prize funders, The Atlantic 
Philanthropies and The John Templeton Foundation, for their vision and 
generosity in creating this important stimulus for expanding citizen 
initiative for public good.

                          ____________________