[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 122 (Wednesday, September 12, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1499]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           REMEMBERING THE LIFE OF MILAGROS ``MILLIE'' MUNOZ

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 12, 2012

  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, it is with great sadness that I bring 
news to the U.S. Congress that, last month, on Monday, August 6, the 
South Florida community and the Munoz family lost a courageous and 
strong woman: Milagros ``Millie'' Munoz.
  I have twice previously come to the floor to speak of Millie, and the 
debilitating disorder from which she suffered: Dystonia. Millie was a 
remarkable woman described by all who knew her as ``the sweetest 
person,'' who was strong even in the face of the inescapable pains of 
dystonia. Through all of it--her pain; her rigorous physical therapy 
sessions--Millie always greeted everyone with that warm, unmistakable 
smile of hers.
  As a Member of Congress, it is my duty to help call attention to, and 
raise awareness of disorders such as dystonia to the American public. 
Together we can work together and call for additional research, with 
the hope that one day a cure may be found.
  Right now, dystonia is a virtually unknown condition that stems from 
major neurological diseases. It causes the involuntary spasm and 
contraction of muscles that robs those affected of the freedom to move. 
The condition is often misdiagnosed; Millie herself was often told by 
doctors that ``it was all in her head.'' It was only until her friend 
and doctor, Cynthia Gonzalez, astutely recognized Millie's symptoms as 
dystonia, that her mind could be put at ease.
  Millie's case stands as an example of why more Americans should be 
aware of dystonia; so that more can be done to prevent it and others 
like Millie don't have to suffer unnecessarily in the future. People 
should know her story so that Millie's courage in the face of adversity 
does not get forgotten.
  Millie may be gone, but her courage and resilience will be her 
lasting legacy. All of our hearts are a little heavier this week in 
South Florida as we honor and remember Milagros ``Millie'' Munoz. We 
should not mourn the loss of a life, but rather celebrate the memory of 
a life lived.
  Mr. Speaker, her passing is not the end, but the beginning of a new 
future; a future where others need not suffer from disorders like 
dystonia. And we here in Congress can help facilitate that future.

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