[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 116 (Friday, September 6, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1249]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        RECOGNIZING THE VAN DUZER FOUNDATION AND SCOTT VAN DUZER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. PATRICK MURPHY

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 6, 2013

  Mr. MURPHY of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
work of the Van Duzer Foundation and its founder, Mr. Scott Van Duzer 
of Port Saint Lucie, Florida, in honor of his philanthropic efforts, 
which have touched many lives across the Treasure Coast.
  Scott started the Van Duzer Foundation in 2008 to help families and 
individuals impacted by tragic and often unforeseen circumstances. 
Since its inception, the foundation has organized blood drives 
garnering more than 7,000 pints of blood and raising over $800,000 for 
families and individuals in need. The Foundation's family-friendly 
fundraising events are well attended by many in the community and 
positively serve as a model of civic engagement.
  A few years ago, Scott learned about two boys who were in desperate 
need of a blood transfusion. Because of a shortage, one of the boys 
waited nine hours for life-saving blood to arrive. Rising to the call 
of activism, Scott collaborated with his board of directors to partner 
with Florida's Blood Centers to host a blood drive where initially over 
300 pints of blood were collected. The Foundation later hosted their 
inaugural Be a Hero Day where 1,000 pints of blood were donated. Having 
hosted several blood drives since, the 7,000 pints of blood collected 
by the Van Duzer Foundation have impacted over 21,000 lives, a figure 
of three lives per donation of blood. In recognition of the work of the 
Van Duzer Foundation, last year Scott was honored by a visit from 
President Obama at his local pizza shop where he gave the President a 
much-publicized bear hug. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize the 
great work of the Van Duzer Foundation and to call Scott not only a 
constituent, but a friend. In today's busy, complex world we must 
recognize the depth of philanthropy and its impact. We better ourselves 
by improving our communities and being our neighbor's keeper. As 
evidenced through Scott Van Duzer and the Van Duzer Foundation, it is 
through these means in which all Americans can participate in 
perpetuating a prosperous pathway for our Nation.

                          ____________________