[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 123 (Tuesday, September 14, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1598]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         DREAM FOR A CURE EVENT

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                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 14, 2010

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Madam Speaker, it is with great respect and sincerity 
that I take this time to honor Mr. Fred Halpern, Mrs. Nancy Adams, and 
Dr. David Gross for their many years of service and dedication to the 
Multiple Sclerosis Society. For their exceptional contributions to such 
a worthy cause, each of them were honored with the ``Different Faces of 
MS'' Award at the Dream for a Cure event held at Strongbow Inn in 
Valparaiso, Indiana, on Friday, August, 20, 2010.
  Since 1960, Mr. Fred Halpern has been the owner of Albert's Jewelers, 
which originated in East Chicago and is now located in Schererville. It 
is due to Fred's warm and enthusiastic personality that Albert's 
Jewelers has become the success it is today. Family has always been the 
core of Fred's life and it is no surprise that he has shaped his 
business by turning customers into family friends. Multiple Sclerosis 
became a part of Fred's life when the love of his life, his wife Donna, 
was diagnosed soon after their two children, Holly and Joshua were 
born. Fred has an enormous sense of pride and respect for Donna's 
courageous struggle and has said, ``Donna has been battling this 
disease for forty years and has never once complained. My wife has an 
amazing inner-strength, she loves to laugh and everyone who meets her 
loves her. She inspires me to do my best everyday.'' The Multiple 
Sclerosis Society has become a channel for Fred and Donna to give back 
to others who are struggling with this disease and they have been 
involved with the foundation for many years. Albert's Jewelers holds an 
auction each year in which the proceeds go to the Multiple Sclerosis 
Society. Fred's business also participates in the MS walk each year. In 
addition, Albert's continues to concentrate on MS events throughout the 
area that contribute to the Multiple Sclerosis Society. For his 
continued passionate and enthusiastic devotion to the Multiple 
Sclerosis Society, Fred is to be commended.
  Mrs. Nancy Adams and her husband, Russ of Valparaiso, Indiana are the 
proud owners of Strongbow Inn. In 1999, Nancy was diagnosed with 
Multiple Sclerosis, a prognosis that changed her life forever. After 
three years, Nancy was doing very well and decided that is was time to 
give back to the many people struggling with the disease. In 2003, 
Nancy rode in two bike-a-thons for Women Against Multiple Sclerosis 
(WAMS) and raised $20,000. She was also asked that year to host the 
first WAMS luncheon in Northwest Indiana. Nancy continues to donate her 
time and energy to the cause and has since hosted three WAMS luncheons 
and rode in three bike-a-thons. For Nancy, having MS is a blessing and 
has made her realize the importance of life. She and her beloved 
husband have three amazing children, Ashley, Courtney, and Matthew, 
with whom she has shared her journey. Nancy's lifelong commitment to 
the Multiple Sclerosis Society and its many members is an inspiring 
testament to her character.
  Dr. David Gross of Schererville is an ophthalmologist and maintains 
three offices in Northwest Indiana. In 2002, Dr. Gross rode in his 
first MS bike tour at Eagle Creek and since has participated each year 
consecutively, making this year his 9th tour. With the help of many 
friends, colleagues, and family, David has been able to raise $175,000 
for the Multiple Sclerosis Society.
  Other than through his patients, Dr. Gross has no personal ties to 
MS, but he has discovered the outstanding benefits that the Multiple 
Sclerosis Society provides for its patients and selflessly continues to 
support the cause. His commitment to the Multiple Sclerosis Society can 
only be matched by the devotion he has to his family. David and his 
wife Nancy have been married for 19 years and have three beautiful 
daughters; Sami, Rachel, and Elly. Dr. Gross's compassion and 
generosity are to be admired and he is worthy of the highest praise.
  Madam Speaker, I ask that you and my other distinguished colleagues 
join me in congratulating these outstanding individuals as they are 
honored with the ``Different Faces of MS'' Award. Through their 
selfless devotion and service to the Multiple Sclerosis Society, they 
have been able to touch the lives of countless individuals, and each 
recipient is truly an inspiration to us all.

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