[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 75 (Thursday, May 12, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E685]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   IN RECOGNITION OF THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE AMERICAN AUTOIMMUNE 
                      RELATED DISEASES ASSOCIATION

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                          HON. DEBBIE DINGELL

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 12, 2016

  Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate 
the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association on their 25th 
anniversary on the occasion of their annual Derby Luncheon and Auction.
  Founded in 1991, the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association 
(AARDA) was established with the mission of alleviating the suffering 
and impact of autoimmune diseases with the goal of eradicating 
autoimmune diseases throughout the U.S. and the world. AARDA's purpose 
is to initiate, foster, and facilitate collaboration among researchers, 
educators, advocates, and patient services in the autoimmune disease 
field while ensuring the highest level of effectiveness, ethics, and 
efficiency. We are proud to have such a distinguished national 
organization headquartered in the State of Michigan.
  Autoimmune diseases affect upwards of 50 million Americans and are 
the second leading cause of chronic illness in the U.S. An autoimmune 
disease develops when the immune system, which defends the body against 
disease, decides the healthy cells are foreign. As a result, the immune 
system attacks healthy cells. Depending on the type, an autoimmune 
disease can affect one or many different types of body tissue. It can 
also cause abnormal organ growth and changes in organ function.
  Many autoimmune diseases are well known including Juvenile and Type 1 
Diabetes, Psoriasis, Crohn's, Fibromyalgia, Narcolepsy, and Multiple 
Sclerosis. Many other autoimmune diseases are lesser known, but all are 
difficult, frustrating, and challenging for the individual suffering 
with the disease.
  AARDA has been a tireless advocate for those impacted by autoimmune 
diseases, which impacts not only the patient, but their family, 
workplace and communities. Their work has not only resulted in critical 
research, drug treatments, and answers but has also been a critical 
support to those who have been diagnosed. They are responsible for 
remarkable accomplishments.
  AARDA initiated the founding of the Center for Autoimmune Disease 
Research at Johns Hopkins University Medical Center, providing a major 
grant to facilitate start-up and continued support of the Center's 
research program. AARDA's advocacy was also responsible for the 
establishment of the Centers for Excellence in autoimmune diseases at 
NIH. As the Association has grown, they have increasingly funded peer 
reviewed research. AARDA also focuses considerable energy on educating 
physicians, patients, and the public. It is through these educational 
efforts that the field has continued to refine its focus on autoimmune 
diseases and their impacts, so that ultimately scientists are able to 
find treatments and cures.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in honoring the 
American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association on their 25th 
Anniversary and wish them many more years of success in researching 
some of the most difficult diseases we face and in the support they 
have given so many.

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