[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 50 (Tuesday, March 27, 2012)]
[House]
[Pages H1577-H1578]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING ARA PARSEGHIAN

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Indiana (Mr. Donnelly) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an 
American hero, Ara Parseghian, who has led a life dedicated to coaching 
and teaching others, serving others, and a life that has given hope to 
families all across the world. Many Americans know about Ara Parseghian 
through his legendary football career. Before that, though, he proudly 
served our Nation in the United States Navy during World War II. He 
went to college at Miami of Ohio and was lucky enough to marry Kathy 
Davis.

[[Page H1578]]

  He was a leader and role model as the head football coach at Miami of 
Ohio, Northwestern, and the University of Notre Dame, which is located 
in the congressional district that I'm honored to represent. Mr. 
Parseghian's impressive record at Notre Dame included two consensus 
national championships and three bowl victories, accomplishments that 
resulted in his induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in 
1980 as a recognition of his tremendous achievements. More important, 
though, was his personal leadership and example, and the character he 
instilled in the players that he coached. To Ara Parseghian, it was a 
lot more important that his players be good citizens than good football 
players, although he made sure they were very good football players as 
well.
  What many Americans may not know is that Mr. Parseghian's most 
important work began after his football career, when he devoted his 
life to finding a cure for Niemann-Pick type C disease and multiple 
sclerosis. In 1994, the Parseghian family learned that three of Ara and 
Katie's youngest grandchildren were diagnosed with Niemann-Pick type C. 
This tragic disease is a degenerative neurological disorder afflicting 
thousands of children and is ultimately fatal.
  Rather than be overwhelmed by their grief, Mr. Parseghian and his 
family began a fight to find a cure for this disease. Together, they 
founded the Ara Parseghian Medical Research Foundation in 1994. It was 
devoted to funding research and finding a cure for Niemann-Pick type C. 
In 1997, scientists funded by the Parseghian Foundation were able to 
isolate the gene responsible for causing Niemann-Pick type C and have 
since made tremendous strides towards finding a cure.
  The Parseghian family lost Michael, Christa, and Maria to this 
terrible disease, but the family and Katie and Ara have never lost 
hope. Their efforts will end Niemann-Pick type C and help families all 
across the world.
  Mr. Parseghian's commitment to medical research did not stop with the 
disease that took the lives of his grandchildren. Ara, whose sister, 
brother-in-law, and daughter have been diagnosed with multiple 
sclerosis, has fought nonstop against the scourge of MS, which took 
away his beloved daughter Karen just last month.
  While Ara Parseghian has accomplished much as a coach on the football 
field, his devotion to others will truly define the era of Ara. When I 
talk to my son about what it means to be a man and what it means to 
live a good life, I tell him about Coach Parseghian. He and Katie have 
epitomized devotion to family, faith, and country. May God bless Ara 
Parseghian, and may He keep the entire Parseghian family in the palm of 
His hand.

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