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The Tourette Syndrome Association held its third annual Congressional Reception at the U.S. Capitol, on February 28. Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton and Gordon Smith and Representatives Chet Edwards and C.W. Bill Young served as the Honorary Congressional Co-Chairs of the event.
The importance of the event was to highlight the works of Congress in supporting TS related issues and raising awareness of this inherited neurobiological disorder.
Along with the many congressional staffers and invited guests who attended the reception, were some prominent congressional leaders. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD), Congressman Chet Edwards (D-TX), Senator Gordon Smith (R-OR), Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA) and Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), were all in attendance and gave remarks and acknowledged the work of TSA, speakers, and individuals living with TS.
To start the evening, Senator Clinton welcomed everyone and gave a heartfelt and very specific remarks about Tourette Syndrome and the need for continued education of her colleagues about the disorder. Following her remarks, another official welcome was given by Monte Redman, Chairman of the TSA Board of Directors with the introduction of our two guest speakers, Dr. Peter Hollenbeck Ph.D. and Bruce Ochsman. Providing first hand accounts of living with the disorder, Dr. Hollenbeck is on the TSA Scientific Advisory Board as a Co-Chair and Bruce is a TSA National Board member and Senior Vice President for Investments at UBS Financial Services in Bethesda.
Dr. Hollenbeck talked about his own personal experience with TS and touched on a few highlights of past year’s TS research and clinical treatment initiatives, and how significant cuts in support to the NIH mean that TSA must struggle to raise more private dollars to keep the necessary and critical programs intact and moving ahead.
Bruce added, "People who have TS, with proper early diagnosis, appropriate medical and educational intervention and support from family and friends, can succeed and give back to the community instead of being a lifelong burden to it." He also addressed the important issue of Mental Health Parity; "Together, we must work to bring Mental Health Parity to Tourette Syndrome, so those Americans who live and cope with it can get the fair and equal treatment they deserve."
In addition to the Congressional members, staff and guests, Tourette Syndrome Youth Ambassadors were also in attendance, including Jennifer and Alex from New York and Jamie-Grace from Georgia. All three were on hand for personal remarks as well as to thank the congressional leaders and staffers for their continued support.
Each of the members gave warm greetings and remarks and greeted TSA guests from around the country. They all spoke about the value of constituents meeting with their local representatives who give personal accounts of their lives with Tourette Syndrome in school, in the workplace and in society. They all agreed that education is the key to awareness and acceptance.
The event concluded with TSA Chairman Monte Redman thanking Congress for its kind and generous support of our activities, especially in appropriating funds for the past three years towards a very important and successful partnership between the TSA and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention on a public health, education and research program that involves professional education and research. "This important project represents a milestone in the diagnosis and treatment of TS and has already created a significant and positive impact for helping all Americans touched by it. Since its inception, more than 10,000 medical professionals and teachers have participated in its Tourette Syndrome learning programs," he said.
Special thanks to the event Co-Chairs Bernard and Audre Rapoport and Marvin and Margaret Bush and to Senator Clinton who arranged for and secured the LBJ room for the reception and to the TSA Co-Chairs, national Board of Directors members Marcie Kirkpatrick Lipsitz, Nancy Thomas Baker and Randi Zemsky.
Media/Press Inquiries: Contact TSA: 718-224-2999, ext.236; email: tracy.flynn@tsa-usa.org
©2007 Tourette Syndrome Association, Inc. 42-40 Bell Boulevard / Bayside NY 11361 / 718-224-2999