[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 78 (Thursday, June 2, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1025]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     RECOGNIZING THE FOUNDATION FIGHTING BLINDNESS 40TH ANNIVERSARY

                                  _____
                                 

                           HON. PETE SESSIONS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 2, 2011

  Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, across the nation, more than 10 million 
Americans are affected by retinal diseases that cause blindness, such 
as retinitis pigmentosa and age-related macular degeneration. By 2020, 
that already-staggering number is expected to increase by 50 percent as 
our nation's population ages. Although these diseases do not attract as 
much attention as some others, their impact on the lives of our family, 
friends and constituents is significant.
  The Foundation Fighting Blindness is hosting its national VISIONS 
Conference in Baltimore, MD, bringing together a special community of 
patients from 35 states and eight countries, world-renowned researchers 
committed to finding treatments and cures for these diseases, and 
physicians who provide patient care on the front lines. This gathering 
will also commemorate the Foundation's 40th anniversary, celebrating 
four decades of breakthroughs, progress and hope in the field of 
retinal disease research. There is much to celebrate, as recent 
advances in research have given new hope for restoring the vision of 
those living with retinal diseases. Recently published results from a 
breakthrough study funded in part by the Foundation Fighting Blindness 
show that gene therapy restored vision in patients who were previously 
blind due to a blinding genetic disease called retinitis pigmentosa. A 
nine year old boy witnessed some of the most striking results of the 
trial, gaining the ability to play baseball and read the chalkboard in 
class for the first time.
  None of this life-changing work would be possible without the 
relentless innovation of the Foundation Fighting Blindness, which 
provides the capital necessary to begin new, previously unfunded 
research--allowing scientists to investigate uncharted territory. More 
often than not, this funding is the catalyst that drives research to 
gain widespread acceptance and thus funding from other sources, such as 
the National Eye Institute, one of the National Institutes of Health.
  Now, in this unprecedented time of promise, partnership between 
private and public sectors is paramount to eradicating these blinding 
diseases. I urge you to recognize the efforts of pioneering 
organizations like the Foundation Fighting Blindness, and the National 
Eye Institute so that research will continue to flourish and life-
changing cures may be realized.

                          ____________________