[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 10]
[House]
[Page 14506]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



 CONGRATULATING THE LIDSKY FAMILY AND THE FOUNDATION FIGHTING BLINDNESS

  (Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, the Lidsky family from my 
congressional district has inspired me to work toward a cure for eye 
degenerative diseases. Three out of the four of the Lidsky children--
Ilana, Isaac and Daria--suffer from retinitis pigmentosa, a disease 
which in time will lead to blindness.
  The Lidskys fight valiantly each and every day by broadening their 
network, working closely with scientists and organizing events to help 
raise research funds. On Sunday, September 9, together with the 
Foundation Fighting Blindness, the Lidskys will host the Generations 
Luncheon and Bazaar. The Foundation Fighting Blindness is rated by the 
National Health Council as the leading charity for the percentage of 
program dollars spent on research.
  At present, 80 million Americans are at risk for developing diseases 
that can potentially lead to blindness. But fortunately through the 
efforts of the Foundation and of families like the Lidskys, the pace of 
research has accelerated. As a result, the once distant goal, a cure 
for blindness, is now within sight.
  I ask that my colleagues help me in congratulating the Lidskys and 
the Foundation for their dedication in fighting eye degenerative 
diseases.

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