[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 11]
[House]
[Page 16081]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     DOWN SYNDROME AWARENESS MONTH

  (Mrs. McMORRIS RODGERS asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Mrs. McMORRIS RODGERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to inform my 
colleagues that October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month. There are 
over 400,000 Americans who are living with an extra 21st chromosome, 
and my life has been blessed by one of them--our son, Cole.
  As cochair of the Congressional Down Syndrome Caucus, every day is a 
chance to raise awareness about this condition--advocating for Cole and 
those other 400,000 Americans helping them to live the American Dream.
  Today the bipartisan Down Syndrome Caucus is hosting a special 
briefing on Capitol Hill. We're bringing in over half a dozen experts 
on how we can work together to improve medical research, break down 
barriers and expand opportunities for those who have Down syndrome and 
many others who could be positively impacted.
  I'd also like to take this opportunity to say thank you to the 
countless individuals in the disabilities community who have reached 
out to me and my family. I'm forever grateful for your work to make 
America a better place for my family and all Americans.

                          ____________________