[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 71 (Monday, May 23, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E925]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    IN RECOGNITION OF PAGE MORTON BLACK AND THE PARKINSON'S DISEASE 
                               FOUNDATION

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 23, 2011

  Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Page Morton Black, an 
extraordinarily selfless and effective leader who has distinguished 
herself through her dedication to the Parkinson's Disease Foundation, 
PDF, and its critical mission. I urge my distinguished colleagues to 
join me in honoring Mrs. Black and her service to others as chair of 
the Board of Directors of PDF. Following the observance in April of 
``Parkinson's Disease Awareness Month,'' her immense contributions to 
the fight against Parkinson's Disease will be recognized this month by 
PDF supporters at its annual ``Bal du Printemps'' at the Pierre Hotel 
in New York City.
  Founded in 1957 by Mrs. Black's late husband, William Black, the 
Parkinson's Disease Foundation, PDF, is a leading national presence in 
Parkinson's Disease research, education and public advocacy. The PDF 
serves the nearly one million Americans who live with Parkinson's by 
offering critical support for cutting-edge medical research to 
determine the causes of Parkinson's and develop a cure, while assisting 
those afflicted by the disease and their families and caregivers with 
educational outreach, vigorous public advocacy, and a host of support 
services. Led by Mrs. Black and her late husband, PDF has provided more 
than $85 million in funding for research on Parkinson's Disease all 
over the world, as well as $34 million in support of educational and 
support programs for families and care partners of persons with 
Parkinson's. As the chair of the Congressional Working Group on 
Parkinson's Disease, I can attest first-hand to the critical role the 
PDF continues to play in the fight against Parkinson's.
  The creation of the Parkinson's Disease Foundation is an 
inspirational story. William Black, an immigrant to America, was the 
founder of the renowned and much beloved Chock Full o'Nuts coffee and 
restaurant business--which was made famous in no small part due to its 
advertising featuring Page Morton Black singing the company's catchy 
jingle about Chock Full o'Nuts' ``heavenly coffee,'' a performance 
which quickly entered the popular lexicon. Mr. Black was moved to found 
the PDF after his close friend, the company's controller, was diagnosed 
with Parkinson's. He was greatly dismayed to learn that not only was 
there no truly effective treatment, but also that no basic research on 
Parkinson's was being conducted. Using his own funds, he established 
the PDF, which was the first private foundation in the United States 
created specifically to advance research into the causes of 
Parkinson's, help develop a cure, and support those living with the 
disease.
  William Black was determined to launch a research program aimed at 
finding effective drug treatment for the disease. Working with some of 
the nation's most prominent and respected researchers, the Blacks made 
two major donations to Columbia University, one to help construct the 
research laboratory building that now bears Mr. Black's name, which 
houses one entire floor dedicated to Parkinson's research; and the 
other to endow support for that research. This close relationship 
between the PDF and Columbia University has persisted to this day. 
Following Mr. Black's passing Page Morton Black became chair of the PDF 
Board of Directors, helping ensure that the PDF has remained a driving 
force in combating Parkinson's Disease. Under her leadership, the PDF 
expanding its outreach, advocacy, and research funding. The PDF is 
making a real difference in our understanding of Parkinson's Disease, 
leading to new therapies and, in time, hopefully a cure.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that my distinguished colleagues rise to join me 
in recognizing Page Morton Black, a great American and a great New 
Yorker who has distinguished herself through her lifetime of 
extraordinary service to others.

                          ____________________