[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 133 (Wednesday, September 29, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1848]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             COMMENDING THE MARCH OF DIMES MICHIGAN CHAPTER

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                          HON. JOHN D. DINGELL

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 29, 2010

  Mr. DINGELL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the March of Dimes 
Michigan Chapter for their dedicated and tireless service to families 
across our state. Since its founding in 1939 by President Franklin 
Delano Roosevelt, the March of Dimes has been devoted to improving the 
health and wellness of infants and children across the country.
  Last year, in my home State of Michigan, the March of Dimes awarded 
over $1.1 million to local researchers to support research to save 
babies; awarded more than $255,000 in chapter community grants to local 
programs that support innovative ways to promote and protect maternal 
and child health; advocated for funding to maintain the Michigan Birth 
Defects Registry; worked to expand Michigan's newborn screening panel 
to include over 40 disorders; among many other achievements.
  Volunteers like Michael and Suzy Fezzey, the recipients of this 
year's ``John Dingell Hero for Babies Award,'' are the reason why the 
Michigan Chapter of March of Dimes is so successful.
  Both Michael and Suzy have gone above and beyond to improve the 
health and well-being of all children. Together they have worked with 
Sweet Dreamzzz, to provide sleep education and bedtime needs for at-
risk school children, as well as working with Yatooma's Foundation for 
the Kids to help children and families who have lost one or both of 
their parents.
  Suzy also serves as a board member for The Arc of Oakland County, 
which works with children and adults with intellectual and development 
disabilities, while Mike has served as the Michigan State Chapter and 
Metro Detroit Board Chairs for March of Dimes.
  Michael and Suzy serve as role models to those around them, giving of 
themselves to improve the lives of children and families in their 
community.
  Together I have worked with the March of Dimes to pass the Affordable 
Care Act, to establish and expand the Children's Health Insurance 
Program, and to advocate furiously for increased funding for research 
at the National Institutes of Health that will prevent birth defects, 
prematurity and infant mortality.
  These are just a few reasons why I am proud to be an active member of 
my local March of Dimes chapter in Michigan, and why I am proud to call 
them my friends. The staff and volunteers at the Michigan Chapter are 
loyal advocates to improving this world for the next generation, and 
for more than four decades, we have worked hand-in-hand to fight for 
America's children, to ensure that every baby born in this country has 
a fighting chance.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend the March of Dimes Michigan 
Chapter for their support for lifesaving research and quality family 
support programs that help ensure Michigan's families can bring their 
children into this world healthy and happy. I look forward to working 
with them for many years to come.

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