An Opening Refrain Filled With Promise
“Promise to Remember Me” is the name of their song, and when the 161 delegates of JDRF 2013 Children’s Congress raise their voices, it’s impossible to forget. The performance of the Children’s Congress anthem, led this year by singer/songwriter and JDRF Celebrity Advocate Crystal Bowersox, kicked off what promises to be three days of high-energy advocacy.
Crystal Bowersox came to prominence as the runner up of American Idol season 9. Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) at the age of six, she’s brought increased awareness to the need for improved treatments, prevention, and a cure for T1D. This year, she released her sophomore album, All That for This, and she’s slated to star as the late country singer Patsy Cline in Always … Patsy Cline. Crystal Bowersox is a devoted JDRF supporter. The kids and teens were thrilled to sing with her, and we are thrilled to have her at Children’s Congress!
“Promise to Remember Me” was performed in the Grand Ballroom of the JW Marriott hotel in Washington, D.C., the headquarters of JDRF 2013 Children’s Congress, just steps away from the historic Washington Mall.
The Children’s Congress song, first performed at the very first Children’s Congress, in 1999, expresses in cheerful tones just what these 161 children and teenagers are here in Washington to do. In meetings with their Members of Congress and throughout this unique event, their message is simple: “Promise to remember me.” When our lawmakers craft the legislation that shapes the future of this country and place their votes, we ask that they remember the JDRF 2013 Children’s Congress delegates, and what continued funding of T1D research will mean to them, to the entire T1D community, and to the country at large.
In her welcoming remarks to this year’s delegates, Camille Nash—Children’s Congress co-chair and JDRF’s national volunteer leader for advocacy—captured the pride and excitement of every delegate, parent, volunteer, and staff member in the room. “I can’t wait to see how the next three days unfold,” she said, “and to see all the amazing things you’re going to do.”
Congratulations on a great performance, 2013 delegates—we know it’s just the beginning!
Complete Coverage: JDRF 2013 Children’s Congress
Children’s Congress Delegate Blog
We invited five delegates to write a very special series—the very first Children’s Congress Delegate Blog! In the weeks leading up to their trip to Washington, D.C., these delegates gave us their thoughts on life, liberty, and the pursuit of happy glucose control. But most importantly, they let us know just what it means to them to be delegates of Children’s Congress 2013. Read on.
Jonathan Platt — 9 years old, California
Children’s Congress 2013 Chair Kid
Delegate Do’s and Don’ts: How to Make the Most of Children’s Congress
Catrina Curtis — 15 years old, Mississippi
My Sweet Sixteen on Capitol Hill
Amelia Rehrman — 11 years old, Pennsylvania
A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words
Reed Gialketsis — 17 years old, Nevada
A Numbers Game, or: We Are All Number One
Word to the Wise: A T1D Slang Dictionary
Cindy Chen — 17 years old, California
Life Under the Microscope: My Summer as a Research Intern
Letters From the Cusp of Childhood/Adulthood
MONDAY, JULY 8
An Opening Refrain Filled With Promise
Children’s Congress Photo Gallery: Monday
TUESDAY, JULY 9
Partners Working Toward a Cure
Children’s Congress Photo Gallery: Tuesday
WEDNESDAY, JULY 10
Children’s Congress Rocks Capitol Hill