The Honorable Michael Bilirakis in the House of Representatives
Commending the American Vitiligo Research Foundation
November 6, 2003

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call attention to a little-known but debilitating disease that profoundly impacts its victims.

Vitiligo is an auto-immune disorder which causes the skin to lose its pigmentation, resulting in the development of white patches around the bodies of those afflicted with it.  Although its physical effects are neither as severe nor life-threatening as some diseases, vitiligo profoundly impacts the social and psychological well-being of its victims, particularly children and African-Americans

Vitiligo may physically be painless, but the discrimination it precipitates hurts nonetheless.  The more than five million American men, women, and children who have vitiligo know the sting and emotional distress it causes.  I have seen it in the eyes and heard it in the voices of those with whom I've met who have it.

I learned about vitiligo from one of my constituents, Stella Pavlides, who is the Founder and President of the American Vitiligo Research Foundation, which is headquartered in my congressional district in Clearwater, Florida.  Stella is a tireless advocate who has dedicated her life to finding a cure for vitiligo and ending the hurt it causes.  I have pledged to her that I will work with my House colleagues to raise public awareness about vitiligo so that we can make it a disease of the past and not the mystery illness shrouded in ignorance that it is today.

Mr. Speaker, I want to commend our colleague, Congressman Todd Tiahrt, for taking a leading role in helping me bring this disease to the attention of our colleagues.  I hope that all of our colleagues will join us in raising public awareness about vitiligo and dedicating ourselves to helping the medical and scientific communities find a cure for it. 

Thank you, Mr. Speaker

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