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Congressional Proclamation
SPEECH OF HON. DALE E. KILDEE OF MICHIGAN IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 2005
Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize the accomplishments
of a man who has brought a new sense of awareness to the diagnosis,
treatment, and prevention of diabetes in America. On June 16, Andrew
Mandell, Executive Director of the Defeat Diabetes Foundation, and known
throughout the world as ``Mr. Diabetes®,'' will be in my hometown
of Flint, Michigan, as part of his ``Wake Up and Walk Tour''--a 10,000+
mile journey along the perimeter of the United States.
A disease afflicting 22 million Americans, diabetes ranks among our
nation's leading causes of death, and is the leading cause of adult
blindness, kidney disease, heart attack, stroke, and non-traumatic amputations.
Knowing no boundaries, it impacts the lives of people of all ages and
from all walks of life.
One such person is Andy Mandell. An avid runner, triathlete, and martial
artist, Andy witnessed his life change in 1985, when he was first diagnosed
as a diabetic. Although he continued to live his life as he had, the
disease grew stronger, causing him to grow weaker, to the point where
he was bedridden for 20 hours a day for two years. It was then that
Andy made a conscious choice and developed his own recovery program
of proper diet, exercise, and monitoring. Andy also decided to share
his experiences with the world, and in 1990, he founded with his brother
Jerry, the Defeat Diabetes Foundation, an organization whose purpose
is to educate and inform the public about diabetes and the dangers it
poses through articles, lectures, and personal appearances.
On December 1, 2000, Andy began the ``Wake Up and Walk® Tour'' in
Madeira Beach, Florida. Having already traveled through the South and
the Pacific Northwest, he will have logged over 6500 miles by the time
he reaches Flint. Upon returning to Florida, his plans are simple: to
start the walk over.
Mr. Speaker, Andrew Mandell is a shining example of triumph in the face
of adversity. He is a survivor rather than a victim of his disease,
living with it rather than suffering from it. I ask my colleagues to
join me in applauding his strength as well as his commitment to improving
the quality of life for us all.
Source: Congressional Record article 4 of 5, HONORING ``MR. DIABETES,''
ANDREW MANDELL -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 14, 2005).
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