[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 58 (Monday, April 14, 2008)]
[House]
[Pages H2230-H2231]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
NATIONAL GLANZMANN'S THROMBASTHENIA AWARENESS DAY
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and
agree to the resolution (H. Res 994) expressing support for designation
of a National Glanzmann's Thrombasthenia Awareness Day, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 994
Whereas Glanzmann's Thrombasthenia affects men, women, and
children of all ages;
Whereas this disorder is very distressing to those who have
it, causing great discomfort and severe emotional stress;
Whereas children with Glanzmann's Thrombasthenia are unable
to participate in many normal childhood activities including
most sports and are often subject to social discomfort
because of their disorder;
Whereas Glanzmann's Thrombasthenia includes a wide range of
symptoms including life-threatening, uncontrollable bleeding
and severe bruising;
Whereas Glanzmann's Thrombasthenia is frequently
misdiagnosed or undiagnosed by medical professionals;
Whereas currently there is no cure for Glanzmann's
Thrombasthenia;
Whereas it is essential to educate the public on the
symptoms, treatments, and constant efforts to cure
Glanzmann's Thrombasthenia to insure early diagnosis and
treatment of the condition;
Whereas Helen P. Smith established the Glanzmann's
Thrombasthenia Research Foundation in Augusta, Georgia, in
2001;
Whereas Helen P. Smith and the Glanzmann's Thrombasthenia
Research Foundation have worked tirelessly to promote
awareness of Glanzmann's Thrombasthenia and help fund
research on the disorder; and
Whereas Congress should determine an appropriate day to
designate as National Glanzmann's Thrombasthenia Awareness
Day: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives supports the
designation of a National Glanzmann's Thrombasthenia
Awareness Day.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Illinois (Mr. Davis) and the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Foxx)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Illinois.
General Leave
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all
Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their
remarks.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Illinois?
There was no objection.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, as a member of the House Committee on Oversight and
Government Reform, I stand for the consideration of H. Res. 994, as
amended, which expresses support for the designation of a National
Glanzmann's Thrombasthenia Awareness Day.
H. Res. 994 was introduced by Representative Paul Broun of the fine
State of Georgia on February 25, 2008, and has the support and
cosponsorship of 57 Members of Congress. The measure was considered by
the Oversight panel on March 13, 2008, and was passed by voice vote at
that time after being amended for technical purposes.
Mr. Speaker, while many people may not be aware of Glanzmann's
thrombasthenia, which is an extremely rare disorder of the blood where
the platelets lack glycoprotein, a key element for blood to clot,
therefore significantly prolonging bleeding time. While on average
there are only 200 cases of Glanzmann's thrombasthenia reported every
year, the disease and finding a cure for it still requires our
attention, resources and support.
March 1, 2008, marked the inaugural commemoration of the National
[[Page H2231]]
Glanzmann's Thrombasthenia Awareness Day. The day was celebrated with
events, receptions and our colleagues in the Senate Chamber passed an
identical resolution honoring and recognizing the importance of
National Glanzmann's Thrombasthenia Awareness Day.
I think it is important that we in this body help to expand research
awareness of Glanzmann's thrombasthenia, which is why I rise in support
of H. Res. 994. Passage of this measure will help to raise the profile
and the general public's understanding of this illness and the
corresponding National Glanzmann's Thrombasthenia Awareness Day. I urge
passage of the resolution.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this resolution urging the
designation of a National Glanzmann's Thrombasthenia Awareness Day.
Discovered in Switzerland in 1918, Glanzmann's thrombasthenia,
otherwise known as GT, is a rare and serious blood disorder that
affects men, women, and children of all ages across the globe. The
disease affects the ability of blood platelets to form, or clot, around
the site of a broken blood vessel due to a deficiency of a specific
protein on the surface of the platelet. Since the blood is unable to
clot normally, those who suffer from GT are faced with uncontrollable,
potentially life-threatening blood loss and severe bruising.
A very rare and little known hereditary disease, GT has severe
emotional and physical effects on those who suffer from it. Children
with GT often find themselves socially isolated as they are unable to
participate in normal childhood activities such as sports or physically
active play.
There is no cure for this disease, and because it is so rare, there
is little information on the symptoms and treatments. It is important
that we support valuable organizations such as the Glanzmann's
Thrombasthenia Research Foundation, founded by Helen P. Smith in 2001,
in their effort to educate the public, promote awareness, and fund
research of this serious disease.
{time} 1430
I urge my colleagues to join me in support of this resolution that
seeks to raise the awareness of this serious, emotionally damaging and
potentially life-threatening disease.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve.
Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to my
distinguished colleague from the State of Georgia (Mr. Broun).
Mr. BROUN of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, a few weeks ago a beautiful young
lady by the name of Julia Smith and her family came to my office. Julia
lives in Augusta, Georgia and is a constituent of mine.
This 9-year-old young lady, when she was first born, was covered with
bruises. Her parents, of course, were, needless to say, very concerned
and they asked the doctor about these bruises. The parents were told
that this was just from a result of a difficult delivery.
A short time thereafter, Julia had a little scratch on her face that
resulted in bleeding that covered her whole face and, of course, her
mom was frantic. The blood tests were normal.
The family took Julia to the Medical College of Georgia, my alma
mater. I'm a medical doctor, and so I'm proud of the Medical College of
Georgia of doing the testing that was required to bring about the
diagnosis of Glanzmann's Thrombasthenia in Julia.
Her mom, Helen, was, of course, very distraught and so she started
researching, trying to find out about this very rare disease. The more
she searched, the more she realized that there's very little
information anywhere. And she started meeting other families all around
the country, whose family members also suffered from GT.
With the help of a small grant from a private individual, Helen Smith
founded the Glanzmann's Thrombasthenia Research Foundation. And what
she's doing is trying to find, certainly, the cure of this disease, but
also searching to try to find ways of informing people who have this
disease about the disease and help to comfort them. And so it's a
research foundation that is extremely needed to try to prevent the
disease symptoms which are uncontrollable bleeding, as well as very
painful bruising. It's a life-threatening disease.
But Ms. Smith talked to me about this disease. And as a physician, as
a Member of Congress, I realized that we really need to bring this
disease to the forefront so that she can have some help. She's seeking
for recognition. She's seeking for private grants and private funding
of her foundation which is very much needed. And hopefully, this young
lady, Julia Smith, can live a long and fruitful life, and we can find a
cure to this disease. In fact, the researchers say that there's a
possibility of finding a cure within a matter of just the next few
years.
But without bringing public attention to the disease, Ms. Smith's
going to continue to struggle to try to get the recognition that she so
richly deserves for this very rare blood disorder.
So that's what this bill is all about. It's to promote the awareness
of Glanzmann's Thrombasthenia. March 1 has been chosen as the day to
establish the National Glanzmann's Thrombasthenia Awareness Day. This
day was chosen to coincide with the date of the fundraiser for the
research foundation.
I want to thank Natalie Stroud of my office and my staff for her
excellent work on this resolution.
And I urge my colleagues to vote with me on passage of H. Res. 994.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve.
Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support the passage of
H. Res. 994, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I would urge passage of this
legislation, and yield back the balance of our time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) that the House suspend the rules
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 994, as amended.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and
nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.
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