Albert Ford: Arriving in Washington D.C.

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.

After everyone had been signed in, the international delegates from Denmark, Greece, the United Kingdom, Canada, Israel, and Australia met with their USA buddies and went over the events that will follow in the upcoming days.  Not only is it great to have kids from all over the world in order to diversify this Children's Congress, but these kids also serve as a reminder to let us know that the efforts to cure diabetes are not just happening in the United States, they are occurring all over the world; the fight to cure diabetes is truly a global effort. 

After the International/U.S. Delegates "buddy" meeting, all of the CC 2007 delegates went to practice our song that will be sung tomorrow at Capitol Hill.  The title, "Promise to Remember Me," not only is the chief slogan of the Children's Congress, but it is also our goal when we go and meet with our members of Congress on Tuesday.  We need to make an impact on our representatives in Congress in order to build awareness about diabetes which will lead to a cure.  During the song practice the delegates, ages about 5-17, practiced with famous recording artists Steve Wariner, Trisha Yearwood, and Elliot Yamin.  During this, some of the younger delegates provided some laughs, however, after just a couple of practices of the song, it is clear that the delegates are well-prepared for their performance tomorrow on Capitol Hill. 

During the opening night dinner, all 150 some delegates went on the stage and introduced themselves.  Though some of the delegates were harder to hear than others, it became clear that this group does not lack charisma or personality.  Over some delicious macaroni and cheese, hotdogs, and hamburgers, we were all given a taste of how productive and exciting these next two days will be.