[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 149 (Friday, October 9, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1457]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING RICK GESWELL UPON HIS RETIREMENT AFTER 10 YEARS OF WORK WITH 
             THE CROHN'S AND COLITIS FOUNDATION OF AMERICA

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                          HON. ANDER CRENSHAW

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 9, 2015

  Mr. CRENSHAW. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and recognize Mr. 
Richard Geswell, for his tireless efforts and dedication to patients 
with inflammatory bowel disease. After 10 years with the Crohn's and 
Colitis Foundation of America, Mr. Geswell is retiring as President and 
Chief Executive Officer.
   The Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America is one of the best-
run, well-funded disease organizations in the country. Since its 
founding in 1967, CCFA has awarded more than 1,300 IBD grants totaling 
approximately $164 million of funding invested in research related to 
Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. The bonds forged by CCFA 
between donors, researchers, and doctors have put us closer than ever 
to finding a cure.
   Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, collectively known as 
inflammatory bowel disease, are chronic disorders of the 
gastrointestinal tract. IBD is one of the five most prevalent 
gastrointestinal disease burdens in the United States. This chronic 
condition is without a medical cure and commonly requires a lifetime of 
care.
   In order to bring more awareness to this disease, Mr. Geswell and I 
worked together to establish the Congressional Crohn's and Colitis 
Caucus, a caucus that has grown steadily for three consecutive 
congresses and boasts 57 bipartisan members. The caucus works to 
promote awareness of IBD, the need for expanded research at the 
National Institutes of Health and Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention, and the importance of accessible insurance and disability 
coverage for this vulnerable patient population.
   I commend Mr. Geswell for his remarkable vision and drive to improve 
the lives of patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Mr. Geswell 
spent nearly 10 years with CCFA and during his tenure he significantly 
expanded the CCFA medical research portfolio as well as services to 
support and educate patients managing IBD. I believe it is no 
coincidence that the last 10 years have seen innovative new medicines 
hit the market for IBD. He was also instrumental in his work in the 
procurement of federal dollars from the Centers for Disease Control for 
a critical epidemiology study of Crohn's and Colitis, work that has 
yielded an important view into the origins of the disease.
   Mr. Geswell retires with nearly 40 years of experience with non-
profits seeking to find cures and improve the lives of patients. I 
applaud and commend Mr. Geswell for his service to the nation and for 
his accomplishments for the IBD community. I urge my colleagues to join 
me in congratulating Mr. Geswell for his tremendous leadership and 
exemplary efforts as President and CEO of CCFA, and wish him success in 
his future endeavors.

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