[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 40 (Tuesday, March 11, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1491-S1492]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      BATTLING DISABLING DISORDERS

  Mr. McCONNELL. As a survivor of polio as a child, I have always 
empathized with children battling life-threatening or disabling 
disorders. I also have a special place in my heart for those who work 
day in and day out to help kids who are battling childhood diseases. 
That is especially true when these researchers and physicians are 
working with children in my home State of Kentucky at places such as 
the University of Louisville, the University of Kentucky, and Kosair 
Children's Hospital. That is why I have long been a strong supporter of 
pediatric medical research.
  I cosponsored and helped shepherd the Childhood Cancer Act of 2008 
through the Senate. I also voted for the Combating Autism Act of 2006 
and, as Republican leader, helped to secure its reauthorization in 
2011. These were not partisan initiatives. They were areas where the 
two parties had generally worked together to advance the common good. 
Maybe that is why we don't hear that much about them, but I think we 
all agree there is more to be done.
  Late last year the House passed bipartisan legislation, which I 
strongly support, to shift funding from lower priority programs to 
pediatric research, including childhood cancers, autism, Down syndrome, 
Fragile X, and countless other disorders and diseases that affect our 
children and don't yet have a cure. These efforts could be paid for by 
using taxpayer funding of the Republican and Democratic political 
conventions.
  Frankly, it is hard to imagine that there would be any objection to 
moving these funds to do something we can all agree is a very high 
priority, and that is pediatric research.
  Thanks to the leadership of House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, the 
Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Savings Act, which was named in 
honor of a young girl from Virginia, passed the House on a wide 
bipartisan majority with nearly 300 votes. After it arrived in the 
Senate, I asked my colleagues on the Republican side to pass it and 
send it to the President for his signature, because I saw the positive 
impact these funds would have on pediatric research. All Republicans 
agreed to pass the bill on January 7, and today marks the 63rd day that 
Senate Democrats have failed to act--although I must say I understand 
it has now cleared and I think that is excellent. It is about time we 
passed this bill out of the Senate. I believe we are about to do that. 
This is the type of bipartisan legislation that should move easily 
through the Senate. We should be able to pass the measure today and it 
is my understanding we will be able to do that.
  Mr. KAINE. Mr. President, I am pleased today the Senate will pass 
legislation I support, the Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Act. 
This bipartisan legislation honors the memory of Gabriella Miller, a 
young girl from Leesburg, VA who was diagnosed with an inoperable brain 
tumor at age 9.
  In the face of her own diagnosis, Gabriella worked to help other 
children with pediatric diseases. She raised money for the Make-A-Wish 
Foundation, spoke at local and national awareness events and authored a 
special writing in a children's book about cancer.
  Gabriella and her family started the Smashing Walnuts Foundation, 
dedicated to finding a cure for childhood brain cancer. The 
organization was named for the walnut-sized tumor in her brain. 
Gabriella passed away last year, but her dedication to raising 
awareness and funding for pediatric disease research is part of her 
legacy.

[[Page S1492]]

  The Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Act will require the 
director of the National Institutes of Health to allocate $126 
million--$12.6 million each year for 10 years--of appropriated funds 
for pediatric research. The money would be allocated into needed 
research grants for pediatric autism, cancer and other diseases.
  The fight for funding pediatric research is far from over but this is 
a step in the right direction. As Gabriella said, ``You may have a bad 
day today, but there's always a bright shining star to look forward to 
tomorrow.'' It is my hope that this legislation will help fund research 
that leads to future treatments and cures.
  I would like to thank Senator Mark Warner and Senator Orrin Hatch for 
supporting this legislation and Congressman Cantor for championing the 
bill through the House of Representatives.
  This bipartisan effort is about making sure pediatric disease 
research is a high priority. I am proud we were able to pass 
legislation that honors Gabriella Miller, her family, and her inspiring 
work as an advocate for pediatric disease research.

                          ____________________