[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 139 (Wednesday, September 30, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2401]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  SICKLE CELL DISEASE AWARENESS MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 29, 2009

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in 
support of House Concurrent Resolution 186 to recognize the goals and 
ideals of Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month.
  As we all know, sickle cell disease is a genetic blood disorder that 
affects tens of thousands of individuals here in the United States and 
countless others across the globe. Within our country, it is 
particularly prevalent in the African-American community, and I believe 
we must continue to fight and research this disease in order to create 
a happier and healthier life for those who suffer from it, both at home 
and abroad.
  In my district in Dallas, we are doing extraordinary things to combat 
sickle cell disease. At the UT Southwestern Medical Center, we have one 
of the leading research groups that studies this disease, and in recent 
years they have accomplished numerous breakthroughs in sickle cell 
research. Under the leadership of Dr. George Buchanon, the Sickle Cell 
Center has recently published an important paper which clarifies how to 
predict the severity of sickle cell disease in young people much more 
accurately than previously accepted predictors. Additionally, the 
center has developed a clinic that caters specifically to adult 
patients who are now living with the disease well into adulthood. These 
advances in sickle cell research are crucial blocks in the foundation 
of our understanding of this painful and destructive disease.
  I applaud the goals and ideals of Sickle Cell Disease Awareness 
Month, and I encourage my colleagues to join me and support this 
resolution to educate people about the need for early detection 
methods, effective treatments, and research funding for sickle cell 
disease.

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