March 28, 2006 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1141 shall be known and designated as the ‘‘Gene Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I Whereas the nature of MPS disorders is Vance Post Office Building’’. yield myself such time as I may con- usually not apparent at birth, and, without (b) REFERENCES.—Any reference in a law, sume. As a member of the House Gov- treatment, life expectancy is usually very map, regulation, document, paper, or other ernment Reform Committee, I am short; record of the United States to the facility re- Whereas the multisystemic damage that is ferred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to pleased to join my colleague in consid- caused by MPS disorders makes the dis- be a reference to the ‘‘Gene Vance Post Of- eration of H.R. 4805, legislation naming orders ideal models for many other degenera- fice Building’’. a postal facility in Clinton, Illinois, tive genetic disorders; The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- after Gene Vance. Whereas recent research developments This measure, which was introduced ant to the rule, the gentleman from have resulted in limited treatments for some by Representative TIMOTHY JOHNSON of MPS disorders, and promising advancements Pennsylvania (Mr. DENT) and the gen- Illinois on February 28, 2006, and unani- are underway in pursuit of treatments for tleman from Illinois (Mr. DAVIS) each mously reported by our committee on additional MPS disorders; will control 20 minutes. March 9, 2006, enjoys the support and Whereas treatments and research advance- The Chair recognizes the gentleman cosponsorship of the entire Illinois del- ments for MPS disorders are limited by lack from Pennsylvania. of awareness about the disorders, even with- egation. in the medical community; GENERAL LEAVE Gene Vance was a member of the Whereas the development of early detec- Mr. DENT. Mr. Speaker, I ask unani- 1942–43 University of Illinois basketball tion and intervention techniques, effective mous consent that all Members may team known as the ‘‘Whiz Kids.’’ The treatments, and a potential cure for MPS have 5 legislative days within which to ‘‘Whiz Kids’’ included Gene Vance, disorders can be accomplished by research, revise and extend their remarks and in- Jack Smily, Ken Menke, Andy Phillip, data collection, and information distribu- clude extraneous material on the bill and Art Mathisen. The team earned the tion; under consideration. chance to compete for the NCAA Whereas increased public and professional The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there Championship after being 17–1 during awareness and continued public funding will objection to the request of the gen- the season. But the Army drafted three assist in the development of new techniques, treatments, and cures for MPS disorders, tleman from Pennsylvania? of the ‘‘Whiz Kids’’ for service in World which will greatly enhance the quality of life There was no objection. War II, and in a show of unity the team for individuals with MPS disorders; Mr. DENT. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- decided if all the ‘‘Whiz Kids’’ could Whereas the National MPS Society, Inc., a self such time as I may consume, and I not compete together, they would not group ultimately dedicated to finding a cure rise in support of H.R. 4805, offered by compete at all. for MPS disorders, has designated February the distinguished gentleman from Illi- Mr. Speaker, I think it is altogether 25 of each year as ‘‘National MPS Day’’; and nois (Mr. JOHNSON). The bill would des- fitting and proper that we would name Whereas the designation of ‘‘National MPS ignate the post office in Clinton, Illi- this postal facility after Mr. Vance and Day’’ provides an opportunity to increase public and professional awareness about nois, as the Gene Vance Post Office urge passage of this legislation. Mr. DENT. Mr. Speaker, I urge all mucopolysaccharidoses and mucolipidoses, Building. and to encourage research for early diag- After winning an All-State selection Members to support the passage of H.R. nosis, effective treatments, and a potential in 1940, Clinton High School star Gene 4805, and I yield back the balance of my cure for MPS disorders: Now, therefore, be it Vance committed to the University of time. Resolved, That the House of Representa- Illinois to start his incredible basket- Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I tives supports the goals and ideals of ‘‘Na- ball career. His days as a fighting Illini yield back the balance of my time. tional MPS Day’’. are what he has become known for. As The SPEAKER pro tempore. The The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- a member of the famed ‘‘Whiz Kids’’ of question is on the motion offered by ant to the rule, the gentleman from the Illinois basketball team, Andy the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Pennsylvania (Mr. DENT) and the gen- Phillip, Jack Smily, Ken Menke, Art DENT) that the House suspend the rules tleman from Illinois (Mr. DAVIS) each Mathison, and Vance formed one of the and pass the bill, H.R. 4805. will control 20 minutes. The question was taken; and (two- Nation’s premier teams in the early The Chair recognizes the gentleman thirds having voted in favor thereof) 1940s. Their fast-break style and ability from Pennsylvania. the rules were suspended and the bill to run the floor assured them 25 of 27 GENERAL LEAVE was passed. wins in the Big Ten Conference from A motion to reconsider was laid on Mr. DENT. Mr. Speaker, I ask unani- 1941–1943, rightly earning them two Big the table. mous consent that all Members may Ten titles. have 5 legislative days within which to After the 1943 season, Vance and the f revise and extend their remarks and in- rest of the ‘‘Whiz Kids’’ were called to SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND clude extraneous material on the reso- military duty for World War II. Fol- IDEALS OF ‘‘NATIONAL MPS DAY’’ lution under consideration. lowing the final regular season game, Mr. DENT. Mr. Speaker, I move to The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there the entire team entered the war effort. suspend the rules and agree to the reso- objection to the request of the gen- After the war, they picked up right lution (H. Res. 85) supporting the goals tleman from Pennsylvania? where they left off in 1947 and led the and ideals of ‘‘National MPS Day’’. There was no objection. Illini to a second place finish. The Clerk read as follows: Mr. DENT. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- After graduation, Vance was drafted H. RES. 85 self such time as I may consume, and I by the Chicago Stags of the Basketball Whereas mucopolysaccharidoses and rise today in support of House Resolu- Association of America, which eventu- mucolipidoses (commonly known as ‘‘MPS tion 85, introduced by the distinguished ally became known as the National disorders’’) are genetically determined gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. KIND). Basketball Association, or the NBA, as lysosomal storage disorders that result in This resolution would support the we know it today. the inability of the body to produce certain goals and ideals of ‘‘National MPS After his basketball career had enzymes needed to break down complex car- Day.’’ MPS and related diseases are ended, Vance turned to coaching. He bohydrates; rare genetic diseases that cause cells to Whereas in individuals with MPS dis- returned to his home State to lead the orders, complex carbohydrates are stored in form improperly, wreaking havoc LaSalle-Peru Cavaliers to a regional virtually every cell in the body and progres- among all the body’s systems. Enzymes championship. He later became the sively cause damage to the cells, affecting which normally break apart damaged athletic director at the University of multiple systems, including the bones, heart cells fail to produce, resulting in pro- Illinois and was recently voted 1 of the and other internal organs, respiratory sys- gressive damage throughout the body, 20 greatest Illini basketball players of tem, and central nervous system; affecting the heart, bones, joints, res- the past century. Whereas the cellular damage caused by piratory system and the central nerv- I urge all Members to join me in sa- MPS disorders results in mental retardation, ous system. It can cause stunted short stature, corneal damage, joint stiff- luting this dedicated and honorable ness, loss of mobility, speech and hearing im- growth, stiff joints, speech and hearing man by passing H.R. 4805. pairment, heart disease, hyperactivity, impairment, breathing problems, men- Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of chronic respiratory problems, and, most im- tal retardation, and a dramatically my time. portantly, drastically shortened life span; shortened life span.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 02:53 Nov 18, 2006 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORDCX\T37X$J0E\H28MR6.REC H28MR6 ccoleman on PROD1PC71 with CONG-REC-ONLINE H1142 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 28, 2006 All the symptoms of these diseases the disease. If MPS affects one family, Allison and her family, I am proud to are not always apparent at birth. They it affects too many; and we should con- advocate for this resolution on the develop slowly as damaged cells accu- tinue to raise awareness and do all we House floor and hope my colleagues mulate, many times resulting in death can to help the families and the vic- will join me in honoring such a worthy before the teenage years. Currently, tims of MPS. Therefore, Mr. Speaker, I cause today. there are no cures for these dangerous rise in strong support of H. Res. 85. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance diseases. Mr. Speaker, I yield the balance of of my time. I was unaware of MPS until Les my time to the gentleman from Wis- Mr. DENT. Mr. Speaker, I urge all Sheaffer, one of my constituents, came consin (Mr. KIND). Members to support adoption of H. Res. to talk to me about his daughter Brit- Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker, I thank the 85, and I yield back the balance of my tany, who has MPS III, or Sanfilippo gentleman from Illinois for yielding me time. Syndrome. My staff and I were touched this time. The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. by Brittany’s story and the Sheaffer Mr. Speaker, I rise in favor of H. Res. BRADLEY of New Hampshire). The ques- family’s resolve. Brittany’s condition 85, supporting the goals and ideals of tion is on the motion offered by the underscores the difficulties facing fam- National MPS Day. MPS and ML, or gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. ilies coping with these dreaded dis- mucopolysaccharidoses and DENT) that the House suspend the rules eases. mucolipidoses, are genetic disorders and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 85. The occurrence of MPS in the general caused by the body’s inability to The question was taken; and (two- population is thought to be about 1 in produce specific enzymes. Most individ- thirds having voted in favor thereof) 25,000 births. Increased public and pro- uals suffering from this disease are the rules were suspended and the reso- fessional awareness are important to children; and they endure a variety of lution was agreed to. further the development of treatments ailments, including problems with the A motion to reconsider was laid on and techniques to help cope with and bones, heart, joints, and the res- the table. eventually cure these diseases. Because piratory system. Most devastatingly, f MPS diseases are not commonly known they have drastically shortened life RECOGNIZING THE LIFE OF and well understood in the medical spans. WELLINGTON TIMOTHY MARA community, diagnosis is often delayed. Because of a lack of information and Mr. DENT. Mr. Speaker, I move to Early detection and intervention can understanding about these disorders, suspend the rules and agree to the reso- help to improve the quality of life for even among the medical community, lution (H. Res. 517) recognizing the life children like Brittany. children often receive delayed or wrong of Wellington Timothy Mara and his I applaud the efforts of the National diagnosis. For this reason, it is of the outstanding contributions to the New MPS Society to support research, to utmost importance that we increase re- York Giants Football Club, the Na- support families, and to increase public search and work for a cure. At the tional Football League, and the United and professional awareness of these dis- same time, we must increase awareness States. eases. This legislation would build on of these disorders that affect so many The Clerk read as follows: the National MPS Society’s work by families. February 25 of every year is H. RES. 517 raising awareness of these devastating National MPS Day, and I believe we in diseases and increasing support for the the House of Representatives could do Whereas Wellington Timothy Mara was born on August 14, 1916, in New York City; disease’s victims and their families. a great service to the MPS community by passing this resolution to honor this Whereas Wellington Mara graduated from For this reason, I ask all Members to Loyola High School in New York and pro- join me and Mr. KIND in passing House day and their work. ceeded to Fordham University, from which Resolution 85. I am very pleased the Senate passed he graduated in 1937; Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of such a resolution, and I extend my Whereas Wellington Mara was closely in- my time. thanks to my colleague and friend, Mr. volved with the Fordham University football DENT, as well as Mr. DAVIS, along with teams of 1936 through 1938, which at one b 1500 the 57 cosponsors who were instru- point won 25 straight games, and it was at Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I mental in bringing this resolution to Fordham University that Mara befriended yield myself such time as I may con- the floor today. future National Football League Hall of sume. Mr. Speaker, I first became aware of Fame coach Vince Lombardi; Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recogni- Whereas Wellington Mara was a vital par- MPS because of Allison Kirch, a stu- ticipant in the New York Giants Football tion of National MPS Day. MPS dis- dent in my district who suffers from Club since its inception and inclusion in the orders affect primarily children and re- such a disorder. Her parents, Susan and National Football League in 1925 under the duce their ability to produce certain Larry, and her sister Helen are tireless original leadership of his father Timothy; enzymes that clear the body of toxins. in their care for Allison and their dedi- Whereas, in 1930, Wellington Mara acquired The resulting effect of this enzyme de- cation to furthering the cause of MPS part-ownership of the New York Giants when ficiency manifests itself in a number of patients. his father divided the team between Wel- ways: mental retardation, physical It is because of people like Allison lington Mara and his brother Jack; malformations, small stature, corneal Whereas under the co-leadership of Wel- and Helen, Susan and Larry that I feel lington and Jack Mara, the New York Giants damage, chronic physical pain, and a so strongly about MPS disorders. Alli- appeared in five National Football League shortened and difficult life span. This son, now 10, was first diagnosed at the Championship games between 1958 and 1963, disease affects our Nation’s children age of 3. Today she is a happy fifth and Wellington Mara was in charge of accu- and has a dramatic ripple effect that grader at Spence Elementary School in mulating the player talent that engineered impacts all who know and love them. LaCrosse, Wisconsin. The Kirch family, this remarkable accomplishment; MPS disorders are hereditary and along with Les Sheaffer, Kym Whereas, by supporting the agreement to there is no cure, but significant ad- Wigglseworth, and Sissi Langford of share television revenues equally among the vancements have been made or are on teams of the National Football League, Wel- the MPS Society, have done so much to lington and Jack Mara gave up significant the horizon. This is just one reason educate me and others about this cause revenue for their own team, but put the Na- why MPS Day is so important. We and issue. tional Football League on the path to collec- must keep the public informed about Today’s resolution is just a small tive success; the disease and in searching for a cure. part of furthering awareness of MPS Whereas, after the untimely death of his This resolution will help bring the disorders. There is so much more that brother Jack in 1965, Wellington Mara be- struggles of those affected by MPS dis- can and must be done. As Members of came the principal owner of the New York orders into the public arena and will Congress, we must take the lead in au- Giants; signify that we hope to do everything thorizing funds for research of MPS Whereas, under his leadership, the New York Giants have 26 postseason appearances, within our power to fight it. and ML disorders. As citizens, we must 18 National Football League divisional MPS Day was commemorated on advocate tirelessly on behalf of the championships, and six National Football February 25 of this year, but it is a families who selflessly and tirelessly League championships, including the Super daily struggle for those affected with care for their loved ones. On behalf of Bowl XXI and Super Bowl XXV titles;

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