On the recordMay 14, 2015
Mr. Speaker, Williams syndrome is a rare neurological disease. May is Williams Syndrome Awareness Month. According to the Williams Syndrome Association, there are between 25,000 and 30,000 individuals living with this rare disease, at least one of whom is a constituent of mine. His name is Brian Weaver. I had the pleasure of meeting him. My bill, the OPEN Act, would provide an incentive for companies to test their drugs on a rare disease population. Over 150 rare diseases organizations wrote to us saying the OPEN Act ``promises to improve the quality of life for the nearly 30 million Americans suffering from rare diseases.'' Research into Williams syndrome could lead to advances in treating Americans with high blood pressure, diabetes, autism, and anxiety disorders. We must continue to fight for millions of Americans who suffer from rare diseases like Williams syndrome. ____________________
