[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 143 (Thursday, November 20, 2014)]
[House]
[Page H8147]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        EPILEPSY AWARENESS MONTH

  (Mr. LANGEVIN asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in recognition of November as 
Epilepsy Awareness Month. Each year, more than 200,000 people are 
diagnosed with epilepsy, yet research for this condition remains 
vastly, vastly underfunded, impeding scientific advancements for better 
treatments and a potential cure.
  We are extremely lucky to have organizations like the Epilepsy 
Foundation and the Matty Fund active in Rhode Island. They help raise 
awareness, provide support, promote safety, and improve the quality of 
life for children and families living with epilepsy.
  The Matty Fund is the product of two loving and dedicated parents 
who, sadly, lost their 5-year-old son, Matty Siravo, on Mother's Day 
2003 following a grand mal seizure. The Siravos honor their son's 
memory every day by continuing to raise awareness about epilepsy.
  I am so proud to represent such an inspiring family, and I hope 
everyone will take a moment to reflect on what they can do to support 
epilepsy awareness, not just in November, but every day of the year.

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