As I sit here in the comforts of my own home and reflect back on Children's Congress 2007, only positive memories come to mind. As Mr. John Brady, a member of the JDRF International Board of Directors, said, I really feel like I received more than I gave. CC 2007 has been an amazing experience that has benefited me in more ways than one. I guess I am now a "certified" blogger; I have made new relationships with people I never thought I would, and I have re-built relationships that I know will last forever. Children's Congress was a success on a personal level for me, but it also helped us get closer and closer to our goal; a cure for type 1 diabetes.
As the end of the 2007 JDRF Children’s Congress rapidly approaches, the delegates and their families were given the opportunity to attend a hearing with members of Congress who are part of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. The chair of the committee, Senator Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, graciously turned over the gavel to Senator Susan Collins of Maine, who chaired the meeting. Senators Daniel Akaka (HI), Jon Tester (MT), Carl Levin (MI) and Committee Chairman Leiberman participated in the hearing and welcomed the delegates from their states. During the hearing, Panel 1 consisted of NBA star Adam Morrison, JDRF International Chair and actress Mary Tyler Moore, and Director of the NIDDK Dr. Griffin Rogers. Panel 2 consisted of CC 2007 delegates Caroline McEnery, Caitlin Crawford, Tre Hawkins (from my hometown of Detroit), and Mrs. Ann Strader speaking on behalf of her sons Abe and Curt Strader.
The afternoon of day one of the 2007 Children’s Congress consisted of training for how the delegates and their guardians will approach their experience at Capitol Hill tomorrow. The delegates were treated to power point presentations from some experts on how the delegates/parents can be successful while talking to their legislators in Congress tomorrow.
Today, June 18, was the second day of the 2007 JDRF Children’s Congress. This morning the delegates and their families made their way to the West Lawn of the Capitol Building to sing our anthem “Promise to Remember Me.” With great help from our 3 singer-celebrities (American Idol’s Elliott Yamin and Grammy Award Winners Steve Wariner & Trisha Yearwood), the delegates sounded great and we set out what we wanted to accomplish, aid the goal of making people become aware of diabetes and the people it affects. Great words from Arnold Donald, the CEO of JDRF, Mary Tyler Moore, the International Chairman of JDRF, and Pam Edmonds, inspired us again for our trip to Capitol Hill tomorrow and to continue to help support JDRF and keep fighting for our ultimate goal of finding a cure for diabetes.
The 2007 JDRF Children's Congress kicked off yesterday in Washington D.C. Registration gave all of the 150 some delegates from all over the United States and all over the world the chance to meet each other. Registration included getting the CC 2007 yellow T-shirts, itineraries for the events that will be happening these next days and, of course, snacks in order to stay full and happy.
