[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 16]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 22446]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




ON THE INAUGURAL BRIEFING OF THE CONGRESSIONAL SPINA BIFIDA CAUCUS AND 
          RECOGNIZING THE SPINA BIFIDA ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 17, 2003

  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize one 
of Congress' newest caucuses--The Congressional Spina Bifida Caucus.
  This Congressional Member Organization (CMO) was co-founded and is 
co-chaired by my good friend Representataive Bart Stupak of Michigan 
and me. The Congressional Spina Bifida Caucus is dedicated to improving 
the healthcare and overall quality of life for the 70,000 Americans and 
their families living with spina bifida.
  This year has been a successful year for the patients and families 
who live with spina bifida, especially the members of the non-profit 
Spina Bifida Association of America who have done indefatigable work 
promoting an agenda of hope and research. In addition to securing $2 
million to establish the National Spina Bifida Program at the Centers 
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) earlier this year, a major 
gathering of leading spina bifida researchers was held here in 
Washington this past May. The successful conference played a major role 
in helping to chart the future path of spina bifida research.
  Yesterday, we marked another milestone--the official launch and first 
briefing of the Congressional Spina Bifida Caucus. In very short time, 
more than 20 Representatives supportive of our mission have joined the 
caucus. As more Members learn of the mission and legislative focus of 
the caucus, we are confident they too will join. I look forward to 
hosting additional informative briefings to better educate both Members 
and staff about spina bifida.
  All of these successes would have been impossible if not for the work 
of the Spina Bifida Association of America and the Spina Bifida 
Foundation. Under the Leadership of Foundation President Hal Pote, 
Association President Alex Brodrick, and CEO Cindy Brownstein, the SBAA 
has made tremendous strides these past few years in helping all 
Americans--and their families--who live with spina bifida.
  I wish the SBAA the best for continued success and I look forward to 
continuing to lead efforts in Congress on behalf of spina bifida 
patients and families.

                          ____________________