I want everyone to ponder on the words of rosa parks whose statue lies right there. When she said, each person must live their life as a model for others. Ms. Richardson steve, it is without a doubt mr. Richmond steve is without a doubt a stellar role model for others in this world. From the founding of the Gleason Initiative foundation, the teen gleason house for innovative living, and his effort to help pass legislation allowing alcs patients to access speech a. L. S. Patients to access speech generating devices and advanced wheelchairs is exactly why the Steven Michael gleason Congressional Gold Medal Act passed unanimously. Those of us in this room know that most creativity and innovation comes from times of despair. And even when life may take us down paths that we did not expect nor forsee. Instead of living a life of despair, you decided to take the path less traveled. Through your investment in Breakthrough Technology that has allowed others with a. L. S. To live more sustainable lives. I am constantly inspired and reminded of the wisdom of Nelson Mandela when he said, may your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears. Steves life choices serve as a reminder to all of us what happens not only when we walk by faith and hope, but also what bold and courageous leadership looks like. Steve and michelle, today you are joining an illustrious list of American Heroes and sheroes, all trail blazers who have displayed core values of commitment, excellence and service to others. Your impact has already been made felt by your family, friends, fans and strangers alike. To america youre lauded as a hero, but to new orleans and the rest of louisiana, youre forever a saint. Congratulations on making history with your congressional gold medals and to all remember, no white flags. Thank you and congratulations. [applause] announcer ladies and gentlemen, the honorable bill cassidy, United States senator rom louisiana. Mr. Cassidy i want to thank senators, congresspeople and from my office, james, alison and blake. And thanks to michelle and river and gray for their role in this journey. We know steves story. Blocked a punt. First game the saints had back in new orleans after Hurricane Katrina. It was more than a great play. It was a statement that new orleans and louisiana, the gulf coast, was coming back. It became a symbol, if you will, of hope. Fast forward five years later and steve is diagnosed with a. L. S. But instead of living in depression and despair, steve adopts the motto, no white flags. Launches an effort to fight a. L. S. Through the team gleason foundation. Since, team gleason has facilitated Collaborative Research efforts to find the causes and cures of a. L. S. Hes worked with microsoft to develop hardware and software to preserve the voice of the a. L. S. Patient, which congress has made available to those with a. L. S. Through the Steve Gleason enduring voices act, and team gleason has provided 10 million of direct service to over 15,000 a. L. S. Patients. In the a. L. S. Community, Steve Gleason is a rock star. He gives hope, even for those who have a. L. S. And if there was ever a disease to cause hopelessness and despair, it is a. L. S. A theologian said, though, to resist despair, we must live vitally and to live vitally means to live with great intentionality. Steve lives with intentionality and vitality. And in this he teaches us. If someone is spiritually and emotionally paralyzed, believing that life has no meaning, steve is paralyzed by disease but lives with great meaning. If someone thinks that the endall is to live independently and for ones self, as steve has become more dependent, he lived and lives more for others. And if someone believes that the only way to make a difference is through strength and ability, as steve has weakened, he makes a greater difference than most of the strong and powerful ever will. Previous congressional gold include jackie robinson, Mother Teresa, people whose accomplishments transcended their own immediate circumstances and changed society for us all. Steve is the first person honored precisely because he has a disability. Because of how he lives with disability. And his life serves and changes not just those who he and team gleason directly touches, but through his example in how he lives, he changes life for us all. If the definition of a hero is someone who takes a terrible situation and makes it better for everyone, that is Steve Gleason. Thank you, steve, for inspiring hope, even in the face of extreme adversity. And for demonstrating how to live. Thank you for being a hero. [applause] announcer ladies and gentlemen, the honorable steve scalise, republican whip of the United States house of representatives. From the First District of louisiana. Mr. Scalise welcome, everyone. Especially Steve Gleason, michelle, the whole family, all of our friends from new orleans, and everybody who has rooted for what Steve Gleason represents. I was in the superdome with my wife, jennifer, the first game that the saints returned to new orleans after the destruction of Hurricane Katrina. At the time, i was serving in the Louisiana State house and i was on the Appropriations Committee and just months before we had voted to spend over 300 million to rebuild the superdome. Surprisingly, it was actually a controversial vote. At the time. Some were saying, how can you spend money on a sports arena when people arent even in their homes . I know you all remember that. But for most of us, we knew that if the saints did come back, it would encourage others to come back and come back to new orleans they did. So the saints returned to the superdome was already a very emotional night for the strong and resilient people of new orleans. But when Steve Gleason blocked the Atlanta Falcons punt and the ball was recovered for the first touchdown that night, the announcers did not need to say a word. They just let the crowd roar and r oombings ar we did roar we did. That blocked punt at the same site as some of the most horrible days of postkatrina gave us hope. The comeback of new orleans was punctuated by the action by Steve Gleason. We built a statue of him in front of the superdome titled, rebirth. Gale benson, would you and your beloved late husband, tom, did to bring the saints back to new orleans gave us hope. Drew brees, what you and your fellow teammates did, both on and off the field, gave us hope. Steve gleason, what you did that night gave us hope, but you continue to inspire people to this day. Not just because of what did you on the football field you did on the football field, but because of what you do now through team gleason to help others with diseases like a. L. S. To achieve their full potential. And of course you are the perfect personification of your motto, no white flags. Through the Steve Gleason act, which was talked about already, steve helped permanently secure access to speech generating devices for people with a. L. S. Literally giving voice back to the voils. Think about this. He already had his device that he worked with microsoft to develop. Incredible americanmade technology that gives people a voice. But there was a change in federal policy that stopped funding for those devices for other people. Steve didnt just sit back and say, ive already got mine, he actually took the lead to champion the effort to change law. It took an act of congress, youve heard that saying. Thats what we do up here. So we got to work. Inspired by Steve Gleason. And we passed an act of Congress Called the Steve Gleason act so now everybody with those same debilitating diseases will not lose their voice either. And so thank you, steve, for the leadership that you took to make that happen. Steve has an incredible gift for inspiration. For the people and the cities who need it most. When he blocked that punt in new orleans, there was not a dry eye in the superdome. My wife, jennifer, and i can attest to that. But those were tears of joy. Steve inspired us that night and he continues to inspire us every single day in his fight against a. L. S. Im proud to call Steve Gleason my friend, and i cant think of anyone who deserves the congressional gold medal more than steve. Congratulations, to you congratulations to you, my friend. [applause] announcer ladies and gentlemen, the honorable patty murray, assistant democratic leader of the United States senate, from washington. Ms. Murray as a voice here in congress for the great state of washington, i am very honored to congratulate Steve Gleason on being awarded the congressional gold medal. They dont just give these out, you know. The congressional gold medal is awarded only to the most uncommon people who show incredible bravery, dedication and determination to advance their fields, their country and all humankind. Steve is undoubtedly an uncommon person. From an early age, he was an uncommon athlete. In high school in spo can, steve won backtoback league m. V. P. Awards playing football. And went on to play both football and baseball at Washington State university, my mater, go cugs, to help cougs, to help lead the cougars first rose bowl in first rose years. Then you heard steve showed uncommon persistence in the nfl, helping new orleans heal after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina and bringing hope back to a city that had been through so much, as perfectly demonstrated in that iconic blocked punt during the saints first game back in the superdome. And when steve was diagnosed th a. L. S. In 2011, he showed uncommon bravery, sinnist insisting there would be no white flags. And he would not only fight the disease, but push for all People Living with a. L. S. To thrive. Since 2011, steve has raised awareness about a. L. S. And championed Research Efforts to improve the lives of others who are living with the disease. And time and time again, he has displayed the uncommon hope, perseverance, strength and kindness that gives makes him sufficient a worthy recipient of the congressional gold medal. As the result of steve and team gleasons dedication, today people with a. L. S. Is a. L. S. Are more independent than ever, thanks to cuttingeng speech and Movement Technology steve pushed for and helped to innovate. And beyond his tremendous advocacy work, steve has shown that no matter the challenge or obstacle, with we refuse to give up, theres nothing we cannot overcome. Washington state could not be more proud of steve. Because he is not just an uncmon, man, he is an unseparation to all of us. And im so proud to be here today to help celebrate this Outstanding National recognition. Thank you, steve. And thank you to michelle and gale and the entire team gleason for all of your work to fight a. L. S. And exemplify what it means to never give up. Congratulations, steve. This is a richly deserved honor. [applause] announcer ladies and gentlemen, mr. Ben snyder of ord heron. River winds on through im going to see where it leads who lives in mountains and that no man has mounted im going to stand on the peak after the land the time dont command anta be the first to ride no time to ponder and why im wandering to the ends of earth would you follow me the world that was meant for our eyes to see to the ends of the earth would you follow me theres an island where all things are silent im gonna whistle a tune oh theres a desert that size cant be measured im gonna count all the dunes out theres a world that calls for me girl headen out into the unknown well if there are strangers and all kinds of danger please dont say im going alone to the ends of the earth would you follow me theres a world that was meant for our eyes to see to the ends of the earth want you follow me y [applause] announcer ladies and gentlemen, the honorable kevin mccarthy, republican leader of the United States house of representatives. Mr. Mccarthy good afternoon. Its an honor to be here. Not from louisiana and im not from washington. [laughter] im just a great admirer. Its an honor to be here to present Steve Gleason with the congressional gold medal. An award as storied, significant and special as any trophy in professional sports. It takes a rare combination of character and grit to be presented congressionals top award for service. Less than 200 americans have received the congressional gold medal. That is far fewer than the president ial medal of freedom. That makes steve a member of an elite group, an allpro team, some can say. The first individual to receive this award was general george washington. Today the first professional Football Player to win it grew up in the state of washington. I think steve has a lot in common with the father of our country. Like washington, steve never quits and he inspires others to fight for a cause greater than yourself. President washington once said the harder the conflict, the greater the triumph. Im sure steve, youd tell us the same. A. L. S. Is a very difficult condition. Its a cruel disease that paralyzes the body. But those fighting a. L. S. Surely want us to know that this condition cannot take away their fighting spirit. It will never diminish their will and determination. And though finding a cure may be difficult, the difficulty will only make the triumph of discovering one all the greater. And what this incredible organization, team gleason, steve is leading the charge to making a difference in the lives of thousands of americans who are fighting a. L. S. I imagine there are moments when the goal can seem unattainable. But remember this, independence seemed like a distant dream in 1776. When Washingtons Army had not won a single battle against the british, washington refused to wave the white flag. With courage and confidence in his soldiers, he surprised the haitians at the battle of trenton, giving the american cause a pivotal victory. I often find inspiration from washingtons grit in the early years of the revolution. That is why i have a painting of him crossing the delaware hanl hanging in my office. I think it captures a moment in time that tells as many fundamental truths about what it means to be an american. Steve shares with washington an ability to overcome adversity. His motto, no white flags. Emphasizes that lifes limitations cannot hold someone back from achieving their full potential. He deserves this award for all the hope he has created in the lives of others. Earlier i said the congressional gold medal is like a sports trophy. In fact, its a lot like the lombardi trophy, the m. V. P. And a super bowl ring all rolled up into one. Like a super bowl ring, it is unique. Steves award was specially made and features him in his saints jersey, trees in the background to pay homage to his home state. Like the m. V. P. Award, it recognizes outstanding longterm accomplishments. Steve has raised awareness about a. L. S. Through his foundation for eight seasons and counting. His work funds groundbreaking research and provides invaluable Speech Technology to a. L. S. Patients. Allowing them to communicate with their loved ones and retain independence. And like the lombardi trophy, it cant be won without teamwork. Steve has an Incredible Team sitting right with him right today. Beside him,my sell, and amazing michelle, and amazing family. This award goes to them as well. Steve, on behalf of a proud and grateful nation, thank you for all you do for individuals with a. L. S. You have set an amazing example of dignity, courage and perseverance for all americans. May god continue to bless you. Simply put, the world is a better place because of you. Congress is proud, the nation is proud, and we thank you and bless you for your life, for your work, and most importantly, your strength and courage. God bless. [applause] announcer ladies and gentlemen, the honorable charles e. Schumer, democratic leader of the United States senate. Mr. Schumer thank you to speaker pelosi, leader mcconnell, leader mccarthy, and so many others, including the great drew brees. Now im told todays drews birthday. I wouldnt recommend that anyone celebrate their birthday visiting congress. [laughter] but, drew, were more than happy you have to. Seriously, its an honor. To join with all of you today. To celebrate the extraordinary Steve Gleason by awarding him the congressional gold medal. Only 163 people have ever received this honor. George washington, nelson now, a, Mother Teresa and Steve Gleason. Now rebirth. Thats the name on the statue outside the superdome in new orleans, showing steves famous blocked punt against atlanta. Of course, that famous play did more than just swing the momentum to the saints against the rival falcons. That play inspired hope in a city beset by tragedy. After such devastation, it gave everyone reason to cheer. But today were not here to honor steve for his heroics on football field. But to recognize his truly heroic life off the field. A life spent helping those who struggle with a. L. S. And other degenerative diseases experience a rebirth of their own. I know the disease. My dearest uncle mort, a wellknown obstetrician in new york, struggled with a. L. S. For three years before he passed. As many as 30,000 people have a. L. S. In the United States. Half of those affected die within three y