[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 157 (Monday, September 24, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1281-E1282]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING ALONNA K. RUBIN

                                  _____
                                 

                           HON. LEE M. ZELDIN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 24, 2018

  Mr. ZELDIN. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the service of Alonna 
K. Rubin, President and Founder of Families In Arms, a non-profit 
dedicated to help children with autism and their families.
  Mrs. Rubin received her B.S. in Broadcast Journalism and Speech 
Communication in 1995. She went on to get her M.S. in Education in 
1997. Married to David in 2000, they welcomed their first son, Jack in 
2001. When Jack was diagnosed with Autism at age two, Alonna resigned 
from her teaching position and became a full-time advocate for her son. 
She immersed herself in Jack's therapies, and worked alongside 
specialists to ensure effectiveness of therapies and strategies. In 
2005, David and Alonna were blessed with another little boy, Carter. 
Since 2008, Alonna has been Co-President of her local school district's 
Special Education PTA and was an instructor with The Long Island 
Institute of Professional Studies, teaching ``Assisting Students With 
Autism in the Classroom'' for several years. Alonna has been a guest 
lecturer for Touro College, ``Identifying and developing Programs for 
Gifted Students with Learning Disabilities'', as well as giving 
presentations for Superintendent's Conference days for various school 
districts on Special Education and Autism. Alonna is the founder of 
Families in Arms, Inc., along with her father and co-founder Ric Mango.
  The mission of Families in Arms is to give families of children with 
Autism, the opportunity to create memories that go far beyond the walls 
of therapy. 1 in 59 children in the United States are diagnosed with 
Autism. Early intervention is the key to helping children with Autism 
begin to make the greatest strides. Children with Autism typically 
begin therapy at or around the age of two, often times between 25-40 
hours per week.
  Families In Arms works to help these very special children and their 
families step out beyond the walls. Studies show that declarative 
memory in children with Autism is unharmed, untouched and often 
stronger than your average person. Children with Autism will always 
remember the hard work they put in every day for their entire lives. 
They will never forget the special moments they create with the people 
that love them the most.
  Families In Arms assists families to alleviate financial strain and 
provide relief so that they are free to create memories that last a 
life-time.

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