Jamie Foxx Celebrates Passage of Hickenlooper, Moran, Booker Bill to Boost Down Syndrome Research

Bill heads to the President desk for signature WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed bipartisan legislation led by U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) to permanently authorize and expand federal funding for Down syndrome research. The bill now heads to the President’s desk for his signature. The DeOndra Dixon INCLUDE Project Act is named after DeOndra Dixon, the late younger sister of Academy Award-winning actor and Grammy Award-winning musician Jamie Foxx. A Global Down Syndrome Foundation ambassador and Quincy Jones Exceptional Advocacy Awardee, Dixon died in 2020 at age 36. “DeOndra brought so much joy, love and light into our lives, and she was incredibly proud to be a GLOBAL Ambassador and advocate,” said Jamie Foxx. “My family and I are deeply grateful to Michelle and the GLOBAL team, and to Senators John Hickenlooper and Jerry Moran for their leadership and commitment to passing the DeOndra Dixon INCLUDE Project Act. Knowing that DeOndra’s name and advocacy will help people with Down syndrome live longer, healthier lives means more to us than words can express.” “Today is a historic day for the hundreds of thousands of Americans with Down syndrome and their families,” said Hickenlooper. “DeOndra Dixon was an extraordinary person and advocate whose legacy will help improve lives for generations. We’re proud the bill that bears her name will finally give Down syndrome research the investment it deserves, and we look forward to the breakthroughs it will deliver. We’re especially grateful to the Global Down Syndrome Foundation, the Crnic Institute, and all of the tireless advocates who helped get this important bill across the finish line.” “This legislation will strengthen the critical research that helps improve the lives of individuals with Down syndrome and supports their families,” said Sen. Moran. “Research funded by the NIH has already led to meaningful advancements, but more work remains. By authorizing continued federal investments in scientific research focused on Down syndrome, this legislation will help scientists better understand the health challenges these individuals face and advance new solutions to improve care and outcomes. I’m pleased that both chambers passed this legislation unanimously and look forward to it being signed into law.” “Every year, roughly 6,000 babies are born in the United States with Down syndrome. And while life expectancy has improved significantly, too many individuals still face heightened risks for serious medical conditions,” said Senator Booker. “I’m grateful that this bipartisan legislation has finally passed — it will reauthorize essential research funding, expand clinical trials, and strengthen our commitment to improving the quality of life for people with Down syndrome and their families.” “Senator Hickenlooper has been a dear friend and unwavering champion of GLOBAL and the Down syndrome community since his service as Mayor of Denver and Governor of Colorado. Today, he has helped deliver a truly historic victory,” said Michelle Sie Whitten, President and CEO of the Global Down Syndrome Foundation. “The DeOndra Dixon INCLUDE Project Act will honor the memory and extraordinary advocacy of our beloved GLOBAL Ambassador DeOndra Dixon by permanently authorizing the INCLUDE Project, the first NIH-wide Down syndrome research program. GLOBAL helped catalyze the creation of the INCLUDE Project, which is already advancing transformative research into Alzheimer’s disease, immune dysregulation, cancer, sleep apnea, and other serious conditions affecting people with Down syndrome and millions of other Americans. We are profoundly grateful to Senator Hickenlooper for his leadership and tenacity in helping ensure this life-saving research continues and grows for generations.” The INCLUDE Project was launched in June 2018 to further research on health and quality-of-life needs for individuals with Down syndrome. The project investigates conditions that affect individuals with Down syndrome and the general population, such as Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, autism, cataracts, celiac disease, congenital heart disease, and diabetes. Full text of the legislation available HERE . The legislation is led by Sens. John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), and Cory Booker (D-N.J.), and is also cosponsored by Sens. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.). ###