Meningitis     Angels
  • Home
    • US House Resoloution on Meningitis
    • Meningitis Map
    • Who Are Angels
    • Usage of Our Photos
    • Angel Press Releases
    • World Meningitis Day
    • Our Sister Sites
  • DONATE
  • Founder and National Director
  • Meet Our Board
  • Meet David Berman, DO MS FAAP
  • Contact Us
  • Speaker Request or Media Interview
  • Support CHAT ROOM
  • Angel Press Release
  • Meningitis
    • Facts About Meningitis
    • What is Meningitis
    • Signs and Symptoms
    • Types of Meningitis >
      • Meningococcal Meningitis
      • Infants and Meningococcal Disease
      • Pneumococcal Meningitis
      • Hib Meningitis
      • Viral Meningitis
      • After Affects of Meningitis
    • Meningitis in Spanish
  • Educational Materials
    • Brochures
    • Our Videos
    • Our Posters
    • Videos About Angels
  • Other Vaccine Preventable Diseases
    • Influenza
    • Diphtheria
    • Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
    • Tetanus
    • Polio
    • Measles
    • Mumps
    • HPV
    • Rubella
    • Varicella (Chicken Pox)
    • Hepatitis A and B
  • Resources
    • CDC
  • Meningitis Angels in the News
  • Meningitis Laws by State
  • Angels Raising Money for Angels
  • Heaven Bound Angels
    • Ryan Wayne Milley
  • Earth Bound Angels
  • Share Your Angel Story
  • Angel Friends
    • Share Your Vaccine Preventable Story
  • Angel Dads on Meningitis
  • Angel Dads Tell Their Stories

WASHINGTON D.C. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2012

The Honorable Kevin Brady

Honoring Victims of Bacterial Meningitis

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember Ryan Milley, a young man from Conroe, Texas who was born on September 20, 1979. In 1998, 18-year old Ryan lost his life to meningococcal meningitis.

As a result of Ryan’s death his family founded Meningitis Angels, a national nonprofit organization that educates the public, health professionals, child care facilities, schools and universities on not only meningitis but other vaccine preventable diseases though personal stories, educational brochures, posters and videos.

Meningitis Angels is dedicated to the support of victims of bacterial meningitis and their families. While helping families cope with the loss or care of a family member they
also offer some hands on support for those children affected with bacterial meningitis.

Sadly, Meningitis Angels continues to grow. Meningitis Angels
currently represents over 600 families across the U.S. and abroad.

Mr. Speaker, I cannot do justice to these families without speaking about this terrible and preventable disease.

Bacterial meningitis is an infection of the meninges, the thin lining that surrounds the brain and spinal cord.
It is a deadly, debilitating disease that especially affects infants, children,
 teenagers, young adults, and those with compromised immune systems.

People who have bacterial meningitis may have long-term complications and disabilities like permanent brain damage and long-term physical problems such as heart, kidney, or intestinal problems or could require amputations of the arms, legs and facial features. Infants and teens are highest risk for this disease.

The most effective way to protect your child against bacterial meningitis is to complete the recommended vaccine schedule. In many states, these vaccines are required for children in school and daycare.

The families of Meningitis Angels can tell you that these requirements are not frivolous or busy work.

So on their behalf, I ask that American families get vaccinated to prevent more tragedies.

I have offered H. Res. 403 to honor Ryan Wayne Milley, his remarkable mom Frankie, and all Meningitis Angels across the United States. Today is appropriate day to remember
 Ryan and to support efforts to end the disease that took his life.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back.