[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 24 (Thursday, February 14, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E154-E155]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING THE LIFE OF THE BELOVED VISIONARY AND ADVOCATE SUZANNE 
                               ROSENTHAL

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ANDER CRENSHAW

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 14, 2013

  Mr. CRENSHAW. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life of the 
beloved visionary and advocate, Suzanne Rosenthal who passed away on 
Sunday, February 10, 2013. Suzanne was a fearless, determined and 
courageous woman who turned her diagnosis of Crohn's disease in 1955 
into a legacy that has gone on to help hundreds of thousands of people 
over the years. She dedicated her life to spreading awareness about 
Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, supporting and educating 
patients and funding research to find cures. In 1967, along with her 
husband, Irwin M. Rosenthal, William D. and Shelby Modell, and Henry D. 
Janowitz, MD, she founded the National Foundation of Ileitis and 
Colitis, now known as the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America 
(CCFA).
   Suzanne held many key volunteer positions at CCFA. She was a former 
president of the Greater New York Chapter and served as National 
Chairperson of the Board from 1987 to 1991. She served as Chairperson 
Emeritus of CCFA's Government Affairs Task Force and champion in all 
advocacy efforts of the Foundation. Suzanne received CCFA's 
distinguished Public Policy Pioneer Award for her tireless advocacy 
efforts on behalf of IBD patients everywhere. The award was presented 
at CCFA's First National IBD Advocacy Conference, held in Washington, 
D.C. in June

[[Page E155]]

2003. Keeping in line with her tireless support of IBD patients and 
their families, as President of the Greater New York Chapter, she 
initiated the support group model that has since been implemented as 
CCFA's national network of support groups.
   Suzanne was also the Founder and past President of the Digestive 
Disease National Coalition (DDNC). The DDNC comprises more than 32 
patient groups and professional societies, representing the research 
and healthcare legislative interests of people who suffer from 
digestive disorders. In addition, she was an active leader in many 
digestive disease-related health forums and committees, holding the 
following positions: member of the Advisory Council, National Institute 
of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of 
Health; chair of the Workgroup on Education of Public and Patients and 
Supporting Resources of the National Commission on Digestive Diseases; 
and member of the Advisory Committee and Executive Committee of the 
National Digestive Disease Information Clearinghouse.
   Under Suzanne's direction, CCFA and DDNC have been consistent and 
effective voices for digestive disease research within the National 
Institutes of Health, including funding for the National Institute of 
Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, and other related 
institutes and agencies within the Public Health Service. She is 
recognized by the research community, CCFA and the DDNC as a loyal ally 
and a valuable resource in creating public awareness of digestive 
diseases, as well as a strong partner in the effort to develop new 
treatments and improve medical understanding of these conditions.
   Most recently, with Suzanne's guidance, I worked along with CCFA to 
establish the Congressional Crohn's and Colitis Caucus. In memory of 
Suzanne's contributions, CCFA and DDNC will continue to work together 
to improve the lives of patients with digestive diseases.
   Mr. Speaker, I ask you to join me in this very special congressional 
salute to this leader and advocate, Suzanne Rosenthal.

                          ____________________