[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 12]
[House]
[Pages 16947-16948]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       COMMENDING EYECARE AMERICA

  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 1226) commending EyeCare America for its work 
over the last 25 years, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 1226

       Whereas American public opinion polls have identified fear 
     of loss of vision as second only to fear of cancer;
       Whereas in those public opinion polls Americans have said 
     that loss of vision would have significant impact on their 
     lives;

[[Page 16948]]

       Whereas the National Eye Institute estimates that more than 
     42 million Americans have common vision problems, such as 
     myopia (nearsightedness) and hyperopia (farsightedness);
       Whereas approximately 35 million Americans experience an 
     age-related eye disease, such as age-related macular 
     degeneration (the leading cause of vision loss in older 
     Americans), glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, or cataracts;
       Whereas the number of Americans to experience an age-
     related eye disease is expected to increase to 50 million by 
     2020;
       Whereas vision impairment and eye disease is a major public 
     health issue;
       Whereas 2010 begins the decade in which the 78 million baby 
     boomers will begin to turn 65 and be at greater risk for 
     certain forms of eye disease;
       Whereas much can be done to preserve sight with early 
     detection and treatment;
       Whereas EyeCare America, the public service program of the 
     Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, works to 
     ensure that eye health is not neglected, by matching eligible 
     patients with one of more than 7,000 volunteer 
     ophthalmologists across the county committed to preventing 
     unnecessary blindness in their communities;
       Whereas these volunteer ophthalmologists provide seniors 
     with eye examinations and care for up to one year at no out-
     of-pocket cost to the patient;
       Whereas individuals throughout the United States may 
     contact EyeCare America to see if they are eligible to be 
     referred to a volunteer ophthalmologist; and
       Whereas EyeCare America has helped over 1 million people 
     since its inception in 1985 and is one of the largest public 
     service programs of its kind in American medicine today: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives commends 
     EyeCare America for its work over the last 25 years.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
Jersey (Mr. Pallone) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Burgess) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Jersey.


                             General Leave

  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks 
and include extraneous material in the Record.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New Jersey?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 
1226. This resolution recognizes EyeCare America, a public service 
program with the Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, 
for 25 years of service. I urge my colleagues to support House 
Resolution 1226.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise in support of H. Res. 1226, commending EyeCare America for its 
work over the past 25 years.
  The American Academy of Ophthalmology founded EyeCare America in 
1985. Its vision is to lower the incidence of severe visual 
impairments, including blindness, through education and by facilitating 
access to medical eye care.
  Since its founding, EyeCare America has helped over 1 million people, 
which makes it one of the largest public service programs of its kind. 
In fulfilling its mission, EyeCare America has also had over 7,000 
volunteers. This highlights what many of us have known for a long 
time--Americans care for one another and they are willing to donate 
their time and energy to help others.
  And this work has been important. Already, over 40 million Americans 
are nearsighted or farsighted. And as the over 65 population grows, 
more Americans are being diagnosed with age-related eye diseases such 
as macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and cataracts. 
By educating Americans on the importance of early detection and 
treatments, and by helping refer qualifying patients to volunteer 
ophthalmologists, EyeCare America is doing its part to help prevent 
avoidable eye diseases.
  I would like to thank my fellow Texan, Representative Gene Green, for 
his work on this resolution. I congratulate EyeCare America and its 
7,000 volunteers for their efforts over the last 25 years. As a fellow 
physician and cosponsor of this legislation, let me just say, Keep up 
the good work.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge Members to support H. Res. 1226.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. 
Res. 1226, recognizing the 25th anniversary of EyeCare America, the 
public service program of the Foundation of the American Academy of 
Ophthalmology.
  Founded in 1985, EyeCare America's mission is to reduce avoidable 
blindness and severe visual impairment by raising awareness about eye 
disease and care, providing free health education materials and 
facilitating access to medical eye care.
  EyeCare America has programs for seniors, glaucoma, diabetes and 
children.
  In 2010, EyeCare America celebrates its 25th anniversary and across 
our nation, nearly 7,000 ophthalmologists volunteer their services to 
this worthwhile public service program.
  Approximately, 35 million Americans experience an age-related eye 
disease, including age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic 
retinopathy, and cataracts, with this number expected to grow to 50 
million by 2020.
  Vision impairment and eye disease is a major public health issue, 
especially as 2010 begins the decade in which more than half of the 78 
million Baby Boomers will turn 65 and be at greatest risk for aging eye 
disease.
  EyeCare America works to ensure that eye health is not neglected, by 
matching eligible patients with one of nearly 7,000 volunteer 
ophthalmologists across the country committed to preventing unnecessary 
blindness in their communities.
  These volunteer ophthalmologists will provide them with a medical eye 
exam and up to one year of care at no out-of-pocket cost. Seniors 
without insurance receive this care at no charge.
  EyeCare America has helped over 1 million people since its inception 
and is one of the largest public service programs of its kind in 
American medicine today.
  I'd like to thank Rep. Whitfield, Chairman Pallone, Chairman Waxman, 
and Ranking Member Barton for their support and assistance in moving 
this bipartisan resolution.
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I ask for passage of the legislation, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1226, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution, as amended, was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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