Political Quotes

“Mr. President, it certainly hasn't escaped the expert knowledge of my colleagues here today that 2020--the date of the prize of Sue and Sandy whom we have spoken about--is also the numerical indication of perfect vision. So the goal to end blindness by 2020-- which is what the Sandy and Sue Greenberg prize is calling us toward-- is also a year on the calendar, a year just over 7 years away. In those 7 years, Sandy Greenberg has the courage, the audacity, the strength to believe we can end blindness, working together, by 2020. It is a goal that could transform our society, our world, and the lives of millions who live in darkness today. We can do it. At earlier times in our history, as Senator Paul has just reflected, we have come together in response to audacious goals or inspiring prizes to conquer other debilitating diseases. One that Sandy Greenberg shared with me when we sat together and first talked about this was polio, a crippling disease that struck terror into the hearts of parents every summer. Dr. Jonas Salk convinced medical researchers at charities such as the March of Dimes to instead turn their focus from treatment, with devices such as the iron lung, to ending the disease itself. Because of that kind of forward thinking, polio has now been largely eradicated and does not threaten children in the United States, although it remains in a few isolated outposts around the world. We can see even more cutting-edge examples today in my home State of Delaware.…”