[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 12]
[House]
[Page 16970]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             THE IMPORTANCE OF THE SPECIAL DIABETES PROGRAM

  (Mr. SCHIFF asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the importance of 
the Special Diabetes Program, which represents 35 percent of the 
Federal investment in type 1 diabetes research, and to encourage my 
colleagues to support a multiyear renewal of the program at current 
funding levels.
  Type 1 diabetes among Americans under the age of 20 rose by 23 
percent between 2001 and 2009. People with type 1 diabetes, including 
one of my constituents, 8-year-old Charlie, need daily finger sticks 
and insulin injections to stay alive.
  As part of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation's ``Promise to 
Remember Me'' campaign, I recently met with Charlie and his father and 
another constituent, Nancy, whose 17-year-old daughter also has type 1 
diabetes, to discuss their daily struggle with the disease and their 
hopes for better treatment options and, someday, a cure.
  The Special Diabetes Program has delivered groundbreaking research 
for type 1 diabetes, including artificial pancreas systems, a 
revolutionary technology in the research pipeline that will 
automatically control blood sugar levels, keep patients healthier, and 
help avoid many dangerous and costly long-term complications due to 
diabetes.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge support of the program.

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