[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 14]
[House]
[Pages 19541-19542]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                            HOPE FOR VISION

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Ms. Richardson). The Chair recognizes the 
gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
extraordinary work of Hope for Vision, a wonderful organization in my 
congressional district, as well as their two newest goodwill 
ambassadors, Alex and Stacy Campos. Both Hope for Vision, as well as 
the Campos family, serve our community with tremendous distinction.
  As a member of the Congressional Vision Caucus, I am proud to work 
towards elevating awareness and finding solutions to the problems that 
surround vision loss and vision impairment. In this pursuit, there is 
no better partner than that of Hope for Vision.
  Started in 2005, it amazes me every day just how much Hope for Vision 
has accomplished. In just 4 short but very successful years, Hope for 
Vision has been able to raise millions of dollars for the development 
of treatments and cures for blinding diseases. Finding a cure for 
degenerative blindness and other retinal diseases holds untold promises 
for new treatments and all types of visual disorders and beyond, which 
is so important to reduce the massive cost that our Nation suffers due 
to vision loss.
  Vision loss and impairment not only have an extraordinary financial 
cost, but it also carries a deep personal cost as well. When 
individuals suffer the inability to see clearly, they must depend on 
others for help. Simple tasks like locating keys or avoiding obstacles 
in a walkway become virtually impossible without assistance. Literally 
left in the dark, a person's blindness becomes an entire family's 
responsibility.
  This is compounded by the fact that the health care costs related to 
vision alone are more than $67 billion annually, and this number will 
only increase as the population continues to grow and age. Hope for 
Vision understands these issues, and they know that the biggest 
challenge is ensuring that this crucial work is fully funded.
  By far, the most impressive aspect of Hope for Vision is the fact 
that over 95

[[Page 19542]]

percent of the money raised is given directly to research at top 
academic institutions. And when it comes to the administration of 
success for Hope for Vision, few know better than that of Alex and 
Stacy Campos. These two champions of vision care have served selflessly 
for the benefit of our South Florida community. As well, they have 
truly afforded many in need the blessings of renewed sight.
  As goodwill ambassador, Mr. Campos sits on the board of directors for 
Hope for Vision and utilizes his skills gained from the financial 
industry to make Hope for Vision as successful as it is today. Together 
with his wife, Stacy, and her continued participation in many 
charitable foundations, the work of the Campos family has provided Hope 
for Vision with the means it needs to grow and succeed even more.
  Without a doubt, Mr. and Mrs. Campos satisfy the roles of goodwill 
ambassadors. Their relentless commitment to service and their passion 
to help families help themselves is truly worthy of distinction. It is 
because of their commitment to Hope for Vision and their fight against 
vision loss that countless families today enjoy the freedom of sight.
  Alex and Stacy Campos have been a great resource for all at Hope for 
Vision, and our entire community has benefited from their partnership. 
Hope for Vision will be sure to maintain itself among the elite 
organizations working to fight against blindness and retina 
degenerative diseases through the actions of dedicated individuals like 
Alex and Stacy.
  I again congratulate, Madam Speaker, Hope for Vision for the great 
work that this young organization has already done, and I look forward 
to hearing many good things in the years to come from Hope for Vision 
and all of the brave individuals involved in this fight for maintaining 
vision awareness for all of our community.

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