Congresswoman Diana DeGette – Colorado – Thank you for sharing your stories

Every year I am impressed by the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) Children's Congress in Washington, D.C. I know firsthand how diabetes impacts families and admire all of the delegates who have agreed to share their stories with Members of Congress.

As co-chair of the Congressional Diabetes Caucus, I have been a long-time advocate for the expansion of diabetes care and research, particularly for lower-income and minority communities. I have worked with my Caucus co-chair, Representative Michael Castle (R-DE), to raise awareness of diabetes among our colleagues and educate them on the need for significant federal support for this debilitating disease. The efforts of the Children's Congress delegates and their personal stories are so important to making our case in Congress of the need to fund research for a cure for this terrible disease. I have been told by more than one Member of Congress that the children of JDRF Children's Congress are some of the most effective lobbyists they have ever met. I look forward to another successful Children's Congress in 2007!

To learn more about Rep. DeGette, please visit her website at www.house.gov/degette.