[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 150 (Wednesday, November 17, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1942]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING MARIE HIBLER

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ZOE LOFGREN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 17, 2010

  Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the 
contributions made by Marie Hibler to the thousands of families who 
have children with mental illness.
  More than 35 years ago, the Hibler family found themselves with a new 
challenge. Roger Hibler, their son, had experienced a very public 
schizophrenic event. The family knew nothing about mental illness. They 
did not know where to turn. As Marie once noted, at the time she had to 
go to the dictionary to find out what schizophrenia was.
  At that time, serious mental illness, particularly schizophrenia, 
were viewed with ignorance, shame and guilt by the public. Those 
afflicted and their families suffered from the same attitudes. Parents 
and family were often viewed as the cause of their child's illness 
rather than its solution. Professional psychiatrists and psychologists 
had primary responsibility for diagnosis and treatment. Parents and 
families had little say in the care and treatment of their family 
member. Before psychotropic medication, individuals with serious mental 
illness were often locked away under deplorable conditions in 
inadequate institutions.
  When the Hibler family looked for help, they found a system that 
provided almost no family support. Marie decided that was not 
acceptable. Although Marie and her late husband Keith did not have 
training in psychiatry, they did know about families. They knew that 
they had to turn to their family and friends to find the best possible 
care for their son.
  Marie, a mother and homemaker, came to be one of the prime founders 
of PAMI, Parent of Adult Mentally Ill. She gave speeches and wrote 
articles. I know this because I was a neighbor and my mother was 
Marie's volunteer typist and editor.
  The organization she helped create turned into a national movement to 
inform and educate the country about mental illness. They advocated for 
the rights and care of mentally ill family members and helped change 
the way we think about, treat and care for mental illness. Parent 
volunteers helped each other and those in their families suffering from 
mental illness.
  That organization, PAMI, evolved into NAMI, the National Alliance on 
Mental Illness, with active chapters in every state.
  NAMI is celebrating its 35th year this November. While many 
challenges remain for those who suffer from mental illness and their 
families, the support and treatment of those with mental illness has 
greatly improved.
  It is especially fitting at this 35th anniversary to thank those 
parent volunteers who stood up to be counted when there was little help 
for them, or their sons and daughters. Marie Hibler is someone who 
fearlessly stepped forward. She wasn't an expert in psychiatry. She was 
a mother who loved her son. That made all the difference.

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