-9999

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairwoman Rodgers for her support and steadfast leadership on this issue.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak not just as a Member of Congress but as a father to a 22-year-old young man with Down syndrome. My son is a living testament to the fact that his value and his potential extend far beyond any limitations imposed by his disability.

Society must never devalue any human life for a perceived flaw or defect. For too long, our society did just that with how it viewed and treated people with Down syndrome, but when we stopped sending people to institutions and started providing proper medical care, such as surgery for those with a congenital heart defect, we saw their life spans increase beyond what doctors told society was possible.

The DeOndra Dixon INCLUDE Project Act is a critical step toward advancing our understanding of Down syndrome and improving the quality of life for those living with it.

Named in honor of DeOndra Dixon, whose life exemplified resilience and excellence, this bill seeks to advance our collective effort to ensure that every individual, regardless of their circumstance, receives the respect and care they deserve.

This legislation will provide crucial statutory authority for an essential research initiative under the National Institutes of Health. The INCLUDE Project dedicated to this cause will benefit from solidified funding and framework.

This bill would enable sustained and coordinated efforts to address not only the primary characteristics of Down syndrome but also the occurring conditions that can impact individuals' health and well- being, such as Alzheimer's disease, which was previously mentioned.

Individuals with Down syndrome have a completely different disease spectrum than that of the general population, predisposing them to many conditions but protecting them from others.

INCLUDE allows for more specialized research, which will lead people with Down syndrome to live even longer, better lives, and it will create breakthroughs in identifying treatments and cures for some of the most devastating diseases that affect people like you and me.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my fellow Members to join me in voting ``yes'' on the DeOndra Dixon INCLUDE Project Act. Let us stand together to support this important initiative and ensure that scientific advancements lead to tangible improvements in the lives of individuals with Down syndrome.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source