McHenry County Blog

A press release from the Congressional Families Cancer Prevention Program:

Congressional Families Cancer Prevention Program Showcases Outstanding Leaders in Cancer Prevention at Annual Capitol Hill Awards Luncheon

A father and daughter team, lymphoma survivor and mother all honored for their relentless dedication

(Alexandria, Va.)—The Congressional Families Cancer Prevention Program is honoring

• Rep. Lois Capps (D-CA),
• ESPN broadcaster Erin Andrews and her father Steve Andrews and
• Congressional spouse Freda Manzullo

at the 19th annual Action for Cancer Awareness Awards Luncheon.

Each fall, the program recognizes the activities of Congressional spouses, members of Congress, the media and community advocates who have distinguished themselves by their work to educate the public on

• cancer prevention,
• early detection and
• reducing the risks for this disease.

“This unique Capitol Hill event brings together a bipartisan, bicameral group of spouses and members of Congress – along with leaders in the cancer community – for an hour of unity to renew our commitment to fight cancer and recognize the work of those who inspire us through their efforts,” said Lisa McGovern, executive director of the Congressional Families Cancer Prevention Program.

“All four of this year’s honorees have dedicated their talent and energy to educate the public about cancer prevention and promoting early detection.”

Paula Zahn of On the Case with Paula Zahn on the Investigation Discovery (ID) channel will serve as the mistress of ceremonies. The Congressional Families Cancer Prevention Program of the Prevent Cancer Foundation will celebrate the 20-year milestone year as well as the 2011 Award Recipients:

Freda Manzullo is receiving the Congressional Families Leadership Award. A lymphoma survivor herself, Freda has made it her mission to raise awareness, especially in her home district of Illinois. She is active in the cancer community, participating in events to raise awareness and fundraisers. The wife of Rep. Don Manzullo (R-Ill.), Freda serves as president of the Republican spouses and is beloved by her colleagues on both sides of the aisle for her grace and generosity of spirit. She is a respected wife, mother and strong supporter and advocate to so many cancer patients.

Erin and Steve Andrews will be receiving the Distinguished Service in Journalism Award, honoring renowned journalists who have made a significant and responsible contribution through their work to educate about the need for cancer prevention and advances in cancer research. Erin Andrews reports for ESPN, and her father is a seven time Emmy award winning journalist from Tampa, Fla. When Steve Andrews was diagnosed with prostate cancer, the two used their talents and visibility to help educate the public through their involvement with “On the Line.” The awareness initiative uses the power of sports entertainment to encourage discussion between men and their family, friends and physicians about prostate cancer risk factors, testing and treatment options.Erin Andrews is one of the first women to speak publicly about the disease, and their campaign is geared towards both men and women. The Andrews hope people will begin to talk as freely about prostate cancer as they now do about breast cancer.

Rep. Lois Capps (D-Calif.) is being honored with the Excellence in Cancer Awareness Award for her commitment to cancer prevention and early detection through public service and policy. A former Congressional spouse, she became a member of Congress when her husband, Walter, died in 1996. A former nurse, she serves as co-chair of the Cancer Caucus. In 2000, she lost her daughter Lisa Margarit Capps, after a valiant, year-long fight against lung cancer. Since then, Lois has been a passionate voice on lung cancer prevention in particular, sponsoring and co-sponsoring many bills on health care and cancer, and serving on various health and cancer-related committees and caucuses. She has become a nationally recognized leader on a variety of topics, including Medicare reform, the nursing shortage, cancer, stroke and heart disease and domestic violence.

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About the Congressional Families Cancer Prevention Program

The Congressional Families Cancer Prevention Program is dedicated to reducing cancer mortality though a bipartisan outreach effort by family members of the U.S. Senate, House, Cabinet and Supreme Court. Formed in 1991 as a partnership between the Congressional Club and the Prevent Cancer Foundation, the program enables Congressional spouses to educate themselves and their constituents about cancer prevention and early detection. The focus is awareness not advocacy.

About The Prevent Cancer Foundation

Founded in 1985, Prevent Cancer Foundation is one of the nation’s leading health organizations that has catapulted cancer prevention to prominence. Since its inception, the Foundation has provided more than $120 million in support of cancer prevention and early detection research, education and community outreach programs across the country.

For more information, please visit www.preventcancer.org.

OK. You got me.

It’s July 3rd.

And it wasn’t sweltering hot.  I found the shade most of the hour and a half 90-something entry parade.

The biggest political entry was Congressman Joe Walsh’s.

He followed Congressman Don Manzullo and his wife Freda, who rode in a convertible.

Between them was McHenry County Sheriff Keith Nygren.  If one did not recognize the Sheriff, one would not have known that he was in the parade.

Last year at parades there were Sheriff’s Department motorcyclists, a snow mobile, a community service vehicle, plus a convertible with identification signs on the sides in which the Sheriff rode.

There was an unmarked gray car that followed with a female officer. I’m not familiar enough with the patch she wore to know if she’s a Sheriff’s Deputy.

Can’t do a story without mentioning the Grand Marshall. After all she is the mother of McHenry County Board member Jim Heisler and Nunda Township Supervisor John Heisler.

Next came the Crystal Lake Lions huge flag. I only wish I had had a higher vantage point.

JA Frate’s Fallen Heroes semi-trailer paid appropriate honor to those who have defended our freedom.

Then the banner of Congressman Joe Walsh came down the hill.

A man with a bull horn said patriotic things.

Next came Congressman Walsh.  He was greeting people along the parade route, the only politician besides McHenry County State’s Attorney Lou Bianchi to do so.

What you see below was not an isolated occurrence.  A number of people made the effort to reach out to Congressman Walsh.

Parents seemed please that Walsh did not ignore the future voters.

Marching music was playing from Joe Walsh’s parade vehicle and a line of girls were marching to its beat.

Walsh saw them and stepped over to clap in time with them.

The Congressman who has had his 8th District reapportioned out from under him did not ignore the ladies of voting age.

Some women were as enthusiastic to see him as the men above.

A blue-shirted lady nearby was not to be outdone. She also grasped Walsh’s hands and told him something.

Walsh was not the only member of the family greeting voters.

His wife Helene was pressing the flesh, too.

The truck from which the sound was coming contained that part of a mariachi band that needed a stable platform.

Ever since I heard my first mariachi band in the 1960′s, I always wished I had enough money to hire them for parades.  He hired the Ranchitos.  I hope he does it for every parade.

But that wasn’t all I noticed in the Joe Walsh contingent.

One of the rejected applicants to replace State Rep. Mark Beaubien, Nick Sauer, introduced himself. Since I didn’t have a picture of him, you can bet I pushed the button.

The Barrington School Board member was waving an American Flag at the end of the Walsh group.

I also spotted past Crystal Lake City Council candidate Mike Shorten.  He is now a  Nunda Township precinct committeeman.

The next political entry was a bicycle ridden by a man displaying signs for McHenry County Board member Donna Kurtz. (She tells me she and her mother, former State Rep. Rosemary Kurtz, were in the parade, but my eyes must have been elsewhere.)

The only County Board member I saw at the parade was Nunda Township’s District 3 member Mary Donner.

Looking very much as if he will be a candidate in the 2012 elections was McHenry County State’s attorney Lou Bianchi.

The political entry was the PTLAG contingent.

The acronym is short for “Parents, Family and Friends of Lesbians and Gays.”  The group is a member of the coalition that convinced the Illinois General Assembly to enact the civil union legislation that took effect June 1st.

The next political group was the Jesse White Tumblers.

Before you get all bent out of shape, do remember that Secretary of State Jesse White did accompany his tumblers in one 4th of July Parade.

Coming near the end of the parade were the McHenry County Young Republicans.

McHenry County State Rep. and GOP Chairman Mike Tryon walked with the Young Republicans.

While State Rep. Mike Tryon marched with the Young Republicans, I didn’t see State Sen. Pam Althoff.

If newly picked State Rep. Kent Gaffney was in the contingent, I did not recognize him.

His new district will contain more votes in McHenry County than anywhere else.  About a third of Crystal Lake is in it.

A surprise addition was West Dundee Village Trustee Allen Skillicorn.

As I look at the contents of the photos, I see a delightful tee shirt.

It says,

“Honk if you hate red light cameras.“

That is relevant to McHenry County because Democrat Jack Franks was one of the sponsors of the bill to legalize this form of highway robbery.

And, although it has no political implications, the South Shore Drill Team brought up the rear of the parade.

The team was worth waiting for.

Almost forgot Crystal Lake’s politicians.

Mayor Aaron Shepley was not present, but City Clerk Nick Kachiroubas was.

So were two of the three women on the City Council, Ellen Brady Mueller and Cathy Ferguson.

And, finally, Councilman Ralph Dawson was seated comfortably in the back of a pickup truck.

A press release from Congressman Don Manzullo:

U.S. Rep. Don Manzullo’s Wife, Freda,
Recovering from Serious Health Issue

(WASHINGTON) Freda Manzullo, wife of Congressman Don Manzullo (R-IL), is recovering in northern Virginia following a procedure to clear a clogged artery that sent her into cardiac arrest early Sunday.

She was revived and was rushed to Inova Fairfax Hospital in Falls Church, Virginia, where she underwent an angioplasty Monday to clear a significant blockage.

Mrs. Manzullo, 54, responded well to treatment and was released from the hospital today.

She is resting comfortably and is expected to make a full recovery. Mrs. Manzullo was with the Congressman in Washington, DC while the House was in session the past two weeks.

Congressman Manzullo was scheduled to return home to northern Illinois for several events this weekend and next week, but he has cancelled those plans so he can stay with Mrs. Manzullo while she recovers.

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Political implications are read into everything that happens to a congressman.  Mrs. Manzullo’s operation comes on the heels of her husband’s district having been dismembered and reconfigured to run from the Wisconsin border around Rockford and the western collar counties through a bit of Will County into Iroquois County south of Kankakee.  Iroquois County abuts the Indiana border.

Freshman Congressman Adam Kinzinger has been sending out feelers seeking support in a run for the 16th District spot that Manzullo has occupied since his election in 1992.  Kinzinger is from the Bloomington-Normal area, about two-thirds of the way to Springfield from Rockford.

16th District Congressman Don Manzullo is coming to town Friday and invites constituents and others to public meetings.

Perhaps Congresswoman Melissa Bean will hold similar meetings.

Perhaps not.

She hasn’t held an open meeting in McHenry County since before last summer when she refused to have any “you all come” Town Hall meetings on the Health Care bill she supported.

Manzullo Continues His “America Speaking Out” Tour

through McHenry County on Friday

Congressman urges residents to attend meetings in Harvard, Algonquin and CL

Congressman Don Manzullo (R-Egan) is inviting McHenry County residents to join him Friday for citizens meetings in Harvard, Algonquin and Crystal Lake to help him craft a new agenda for America focused on strengthening our economy and putting Americans back to work.

The meetings, a continuation of Manzullo’s “America Speaking Out” tour across northern Illinois, will be held on Friday, July 9 from:

• 9:30 to 11 a.m. at the Harvard Diggins Library, 900 E. McKinley Street, Harvard.
• 12:30 to 2 p.m. at the Algonquin Village Hall, 2200 Harnish Drive, Algonquin.
• 3 to 4:30 p.m. at the Algonquin Township Offices, 3702 U.S. Highway 14, Crystal Lake.

“America Speaking Out” is a new program to encourage Americans to offer ideas on a new way forward for our nation. The ideas will be used by House Republicans later this summer to craft a new agenda for America.

Manzullo will kick off the meetings with some brief remarks and then turn it over to the citizens to get their ideas on how to return America to prosperity. Other topics could include their thoughts on fiscal responsibility, American values, national security, or anything else they want to suggest or discuss.

Citizens can print off an America Speaking Out comment sheet, fill it out with their ideas, and bring it to the meeting. Manzullo will have a “suggestion box” to drop off the ideas and will post them on large white boards as the meeting ensues. Photos of the white boards will be posted on Manzullo’s webpage after the meeting.

Citizens can also visit Manzullo’s America Speaking Out webpage here where they can post their ideas or vote on other ideas that have been posted.

“Too many Americans are still out of work and are frustrated they are not seeing action from Congress to help our economy recover and thrive again,” Manzullo said. “I encourage citizens to come out to Harvard, Algonquin and Crystal Lake and ‘speak out’ with their ideas on a new way forward for our country.”