Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Community Assistance, Research, and Education Amendments of 2008

PAUL D. WELLSTONE MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE, RESEARCH, AND EDUCATION AMENDMENTS OF 2008 -- (Extensions of Remarks - September 25, 2008)

* Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 5265, the Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Community Assistance, Research and Education (MD-CARE) Amendments Act of 2008. This legislation is named in tribute to Minnesota Senator Paul Wellstone whose work on behalf of the vulnerable was well-known and well-respected.

* Muscular dystrophy is a degenerative genetic disease which affects over 300,000 individuals in the United States. The original MD-Care Act authorization introduced by the late Senator Wellstone was signed into law in December 2001. This bill established six centers of excellence, created a Muscular Dystrophy Coordinating Committee (MDCC) to support research and education on muscular dystrophy, and expanded education programs for muscular dystrophy at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

* H.R. 5265 continues the momentum from the original legislation. This legislation officially names the Centers of Excellence the Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Cooperative Research Centers to honor Senator Wellstone's work. In addition, this bill ensures that data collection at the CDC is updated regularly, and that information is distributed to targeted audiences.

* I urge my colleagues to join me in voting for this important bill.

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