Sending Office: Honorable Cedric L. Richmond
Sent By:
Peter.Hunter@mail.house.gov
Current cosponsors: Abraham, DelBene, Graves (LA), Kelly (IL), King (NY), Larson, Radewagen, Reichert, Ross, Stefanik
Dear Colleague:
Please join us in honoring Stephen Michael Gleason’s dedicated work and significant impact on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients by cosponsoring the Stephen
Michael Gleason Congressional Gold Medal Act.
From 2000-2008, Steve Gleason played for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League. Soon after his retirement, he was diagnosed with ALS, commonly referred
to as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, a terminal neuro-muscular disease. Despite a grim outlook, Gleason made his goal to show that it is possible to live life to the fullest even after being diagnosed with this disease. He created the Gleason Initiative Foundation,
or “Team Gleason,” which helps provide those diagnosed with neuromuscular diseases or injuries with support systems through technology, equipment, and services, while also raising global awareness about the disease in an effort to find a cure.
Gleason’s work for ALS is unmatched, as he creates new opportunities for those living with the disease. He opened the Team Gleason House for Innovative Living, where
up to 18 people with ALS can live as independently and productively as possible, and in 2014 he hosted an international summit to stimulate ALS research and awareness. This was the largest coordinated and collaborative ALS research project in the world.
The Gleason Foundation, by creating groundbreaking technology, has opened up a world of opportunities to ALS patients and helped them to live in ways they never thought
possible after their diagnoses. Not only did he help pass legislation that gives all ALS patients access to speech generating devices, but in 2015 he also worked with Microsoft to create wheelchairs for the paralyzed that can be completely powered with the
user’s eyes. Today, he is working to make this technology more easily accessible for those in need.
Steve Gleason’s role in the promotion of ALS research and patient help cannot be underrated as he has helped so many around the world. Gleason deserves the recognition
of a Congressional Gold Medal, which he has earned with his never-ending work to help others in his position.
To become a cosponsor, please contact Peter Hunter in Representative Richmond’s office or David Smentek in Rep. McMorris Rodgers at
Peter.Hunter@mail.house.gov or David.Smentek@mail.house.gov.
Rep. Cedric L. Richmond
Member of Congress
Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers
Member of Congress
Rep. Steve Scalise
Member of Congress
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