[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 52 (Tuesday, April 1, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E477]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING PETER WIRS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROBERT A. BRADY

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, April 1, 2014

  Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Peter 
Wirs, a friend and a neighbor, who will soon become the first diabetic 
and oldest individual to step into an international freestyle wrestling 
mat at this year's USA Wrestling's National Open, taking place in Las 
Vegas on April 17. Peter Wirs currently serves as the 59th Republican 
Ward Leader in Philadelphia.
  But despite what Peter has accomplished, diabetes continues to be an 
epidemic. One in 12 Americans has diabetes, and an additional one in 3 
Americans is at risk for developing the disease. Every 17 seconds, 
another individual is diagnosed with diabetes. Shockingly, this disease 
kills more Americans every year than breast cancer and AIDS combined. 
The American Diabetes Association's latest research estimates the total 
costs of diagnosed diabetes have risen to $245 billion in 2012 from 
$174 billion in 2007, when the cost was last examined, representing a 
41 percent over a five-year period. Diabetes costs severely impact 
American productivity, let alone billions in healthcare costs.
  Pete Wirs could have given up ten years ago. When I first met Pete 
Wirs he weighed 250 lbs. Today, he weighs 180 lbs. He exercises at 5:30 
in the morning every day, followed by drills and wrestling holds and 
moves practice every night after work at the Pennsylvania Wrestling 
Club headquarters, located in my District.
  Mr. Speaker, we don't know whether Leader Wirs will win or lose his 
first match. But no matter what the final score ends up being, Pete 
Wirs will have scored a moral victory by simply stepping onto the mat, 
by getting his diabetes under control, and by proving to all of us that 
physical fitness is not a diet or a fad, but a life-long commitment to 
healthy eating, continuous exercise, and sports activity.
  Mr. Speaker, Pete Wirs remains an inspiration to all diabetics and 
indeed to all of us who should be exercising and participating in 
sports and recreation. I join my colleague, Congressman Jim Jordan, in 
congratulating Leader Wirs, and all of his fellow team members, coaches 
and boosters in what is sure to be a sports event for the history 
books.

                          ____________________