[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 132 (Tuesday, September 16, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Page S5622]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO GABE GRIFFIN

 Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. President, I wish today to honor a 
courageous young Alabamian Gabe Griffin. Gabe is a 9-year-old boy who 
lives with his family in Shelby County, AL.
  Right now, Gabe lives like any other child, but that is expected to 
change soon. Without a cure, Gabe's doctors expect him to be in a 
wheelchair by the time he is 12 years old and lose his life around the 
age of 20. Gabe suffers from a fatal genetic mutation called Duchenne 
muscular dystrophy, DMD, which is caused by an absence of dystrophin, a 
protein that helps keep the body's muscles intact. The onset of this 
fatal disorder occurs during early childhood and causes generalized 
weakness and muscle wasting that increases over time. While medical 
advances have led to some very promising clinical trials, to date there 
is no cure and no one has survived. DMD affects approximately 1 in 
every 3,500 boys, which adds up to about 15,000 boys in America.
  Symptoms usually appear in male children before age 6, and 
progressive proximal muscle weakness associated with a loss of muscle 
mass is observed first. This weakness eventually spreads to the arms, 
neck, and other areas, and most patients are wheelchair dependent by 
the age of 12.
  Gabe can currently walk, breathe, and feed himself like any other 
child. Since his diagnosis, his family has been relentlessly striving 
to raise awareness and increase research funding for DMD. They play an 
active role in the fight against this devastating disease and are 
tireless in their efforts to find a cure.
  Recently, a cross-country bicycle ride to raise awareness of DMD was 
completed. Wes Bates, a student at Indiana University; Michael Staley, 
chief of staff for U.S. Rep. Bachus; and their support team rode 3,300 
miles from Astoria, OR, on June 28 to Mobile, AL, on August 14. They 
worked to educate people across America about DMD, and the funds they 
raised will be used to raise awareness and advance current research.
  Through his struggle, Gabe has continued to bring happiness and light 
to those around him. He is a wonderful and courageous boy. It is my 
honor to recognize Gabe Griffin and his family for their incredible 
efforts to defeat Duchenne muscular disorder. It is my hope that with 
their continued efforts, Gabe may live to see the cure of DMD.

                          ____________________