[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 12]
[House]
[Page 16353]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     DOWN SYNDROME AWARENESS MONTH

  (Mr. BILIRAKIS asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, this month we recognize Down Syndrome 
Awareness Month. As we celebrate the abilities of more than 400,000 
Americans living with Down Syndrome, it is important that we address 
some of the problems these individuals and their families face.
  Families and patients who are affected by Down Syndrome face many 
related health issues. I had the privilege of meeting a very inspiring 
patient during the Energy and Commerce's work on 21st Century Cures 
legislation. Madison, a young girl diagnosed with Down Syndrome, had 
four major open-heart surgeries all before her 3rd birthday.
  An estimated 50 percent of children born with Down Syndrome have some 
form of heart defect, like Madison; yet, her surgeries are still fairly 
new in the medical world. Our Cures legislation encourages additional 
research for medications and procedures that could benefit children 
like Madison. We must continue our work to promote a better quality of 
life for all patients across the Nation.

                          ____________________