[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 78 (Thursday, May 22, 2014)]
[House]
[Page H4816]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TOURETTE SYNDROME AWARENESS MONTH

  (Mr. BEN RAY LUJAAN of New Mexico asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. BEN RAY LUJAAN of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, last week, I had the 
opportunity to meet with a bright young boy who was diagnosed with 
Tourette syndrome and is working to bring attention to this disorder. 
His passion is an inspiration, and I want to share his own words about 
the importance of raising awareness.

       Dear Congressman Lujaan. My name is Alexander Dennis. I 
     live in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, and am 14 years old.
       I grew up with a neurological disorder called Tourette 
     syndrome. It causes me and about 200,000 others in the United 
     States to make sudden movements and uncontrollable sounds. 
     This disorder affects me daily and is a lifelong condition. 
     There is no cure for Tourette syndrome.
       I have to live daily with painful neck and full-body jerks. 
     Others with this disorder have different severity levels and 
     different types of movement. It is noticeable to others, but 
     I do not know I am doing the movements sometimes.
       There are not many doctors that are experienced with 
     Tourette syndrome, and it took me 4 years to be properly 
     diagnosed.
       May 15 through June 15 is Tourette Syndrome Awareness 
     Month, and I am writing to you because I am working to raise 
     awareness to the challenges people face that have this 
     syndrome. Any help that you can give will be greatly 
     appreciated to me and all that suffer from this disorder.

  Thank you, Alexander, for your voice and your efforts. I look forward 
to working with you on this issue.

                          ____________________