Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act

CHRISTOPHER AND DANA REEVE PARALYSIS ACT -- (House of Representatives - October 15, 2007)

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Mr. BILIRAKIS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1727, the Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act. Millions of Americans suffer from paralysis and mobility impairment. They struggle each and every day to perform even the most basic of tasks that most of us take for granted. The impact this impairment has on the lives and the lives of those who love them and care for them is staggering. As one who has struggled with hearing and vision problems nearly my entire life, I know how difficult any physical impairment can be, both physically and emotionally; but I cannot imagine what people with severe paralysis go through and their constant struggle to maintain hope that they one day will walk or move again.

Madam Speaker, I am very proud to be an original cosponsor of this bill, which will encourage collaborative research in paralysis and hasten the discovery of treatments and potential cures to improve the lives of people with paralysis. I am especially pleased that this bill is modeled after legislation I introduced at the beginning of this Congress. My bill, the language of which this bill includes, also has provisions to utilize VA facilities to improve paralysis research and better track the work that is being done in this area within the world's largest system of hospitals.

Madam Speaker, I want to thank Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin for sponsoring this bill, and also Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman John Dingell and Ranking Member Joe Barton for moving it through their committee. I also want to give special thanks to my father, former Congressman Mike Bilirakis, who first introduced this bill several years ago after meeting the extraordinary men and women for whom this bill was named. His persistence and determination helped build the necessary support to get us where we are today.

Although I never had the honor of meeting Christopher or Dana Reeve personally, my father has shared with me their strength, dignity, and courage in dealing with what only people similarly situated can fully understand. They pushed to the national forefront the issue of the need for better research into paralysis and greater emphasis on rehabilitation. I wish they were here to share this moment with us today, though I am sure they are both smiling down on our efforts here today.

Madam Speaker, I believe we can and must do more for those suffering from paralysis and mobility impairment. I urge all my colleagues to help take a significant step forward in this area by supporting this bill today.

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