[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 12614]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING ``MR. DIABETES,'' ANDREW MANDELL

                                  _____
                                 

                          HON. DALE E. KILDEE

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 14, 2005

  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize the 
accomplishments of a man who has brought a new sense of awareness to 
the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diabetes in America. On 
June 16, Andrew Mandell, Executive Director of the Defeat Diabetes 
Foundation, and known throughout the world as ``Mr. Diabetes,'' will be 
in my hometown of Flint, Michigan, as part of his ``Wake Up and Walk 
Tour''--a 10,000+ mile journey along the perimeter of the United 
States.
  A disease afflicting 22 million Americans, diabetes ranks among our 
nation's leading causes of death, and is the leading cause of adult 
blindness, kidney disease, heart attack, stroke, and non-traumatic 
amputations. Knowing no boundaries, it impacts the lives of people of 
all ages and from all walks of life.
  One such person is Andy Mandell. An avid runner, triathlete, and 
martial artist, Andy witnessed his life change in 1985, when he was 
first diagnosed as a diabetic. Although he continued to live his life 
as he had, the disease grew stronger, causing him to grow weaker, to 
the point where he was bedridden for 20 hours a day for two years. It 
was then that Andy made a conscious choice and developed his own 
recovery program of proper diet, exercise, and monitoring. Andy also 
decided to share his experiences with the world, and in 1990, he 
founded with his brother Jerry, the Defeat Diabetes Foundation, an 
organization whose purpose is to educate and inform the public about 
diabetes and the dangers it poses through articles, lectures, and 
personal appearances.
  On December 1, 2000, Andy began the ``Wake Up and Walk Tour'' in 
Madeira Beach, Florida. Having already traveled through the South and 
the Pacific Northwest, he will have logged over 6500 miles by the time 
he reaches Flint. Upon returning to Florida, his plans are simple: to 
start the walk over.
  Mr. Speaker, Andrew Mandell is a shining example of triumph in the 
face of adversity. He is a survivor rather than a victim of his 
disease, living with it rather than suffering from it. I ask my 
colleagues to join me in applauding his strength as well as his 
commitment to improving the quality of life for us all.

                          ____________________