2023 AcceptAbility Gala

A fundraiser for the
GLOBAL DOWN SYNDROME FOUNDATION
funding life-changing research and life-saving medical care for children and
adults with Down syndrome
Wednesday, June 7, 2023
Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill Washington, DC
6:00 PM ET Cocktail Reception | 7:00 PM ET Performance & Program | 9:00 PM ET Concludes
EMCEES
Kyra Phillips, Award-winning Journalist, ABC News
John Roberts, Co-Anchor of ‘America Reports with John Roberts & Sandra Smith,’ Fox News

multiplatinum singer & songwriter


2023 Honorees


It is truly an honor for us to introduce Abby as this year’s Ambassador for the Global Down Syndrome Foundation. Abby is the gift our family didn’t know we needed, and we are so excited for you to meet her.
From the moment Abby was born on January 10th, 2011, she was loved. Her middle name, Joy, was given as a signal to others that this was a child who would be treasured by her family. At two months of age, she underwent open heart surgery, and she has endured many other medical procedures during her twelve years of life.
Abby is finishing fifth grade and preparing to make the leap to middle school next year. She lives in Falls Church, Virginia with her mom, dad, sisters and dog, Piper. She is the middle sister between Margaret and Charlotte. Abby plays baseball, loves music, dancing, and any social activity with her friends. But her favorite hobby might be folding washcloths. Abby is always up for a party and a bagel with cream cheese! If you see her around town, she’ll likely invite you to hang out at Panera.
Abby brings joy and enthusiasm to life and as her teacher so aptly says “the world is better with Abby in it.” Abby is a special gift to this world. She has taught us to slow down (which isn’t often done in this town). She has taught us how simple it is to love, forgive and delight in others and the world around us. Abby is quick witted and if you share a laugh or joke with her, you won’t forget it. She sees people and loves people with no judgment or hesitation.
Our girl is brave and typically undaunted by the routine challenges life puts in her way. She has an iron will and often perseveres beyond what most of us could. Her favorite song is “Tomorrow” from Annie, and she lives out those lyrics with gusto. She wants everyone to know that they are loved, and she is magic in how she shows people that love.
Abby is so proud to be this year’s Ambassador for the Global Down Syndrome Foundation. In the words of Abby, “meet your new ‘bassador!’” Representing the Global Down Syndrome Foundation is such an honor because the work and research they are doing will change Abby’s quality of life and the lives of others with Down syndrome for the better.

GLOBAL’s 2023 Quincy Jones Exceptional Advocate Awardee, Congresswoman Katherine Clark has proudly represented Massachusetts’ Fifth District since 2013. The district stretches from the coastal communities of Revere and Winthrop through the northern Boston suburbs to the towns of MetroWest.
In the fall of 2022, Clark was elected by her colleagues to serve as Democratic Whip – the second most senior position in the House Democratic Caucus. She previously served as Assistant Speaker of the House, as Vice Chair of the House Democratic Caucus, and as a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee. One of only two women to ever serve as Whip, she currently has the distinction of being the highest-ranking woman in Congressional leadership.
Long before her service in Congressional leadership, Congresswoman Clark has been a friend and advocate for individuals with Down syndrome. As a member of the House Appropriations Labor, Health and Human Services subcommittee, she participated in the first ever congressional hearing on federal Down syndrome research in 2017 where she met with her constituents and GLOBAL self-advocate Kate Bartlett and her mother, Jan Tobin. Congresswoman Clark was an early and key supporter of GLOBAL’s efforts to launch the NIH INCLUDE initiative and win significant increases in Down syndrome research funding. Following the hearing, Congresswoman Clark was profiled in Down Syndrome World magazine where she stated, “People with Down syndrome can do amazing things, and I am proud to take part in congressional efforts to help them achieve their full potential.”Prior to her service in Congress, Congresswoman Clark has been active in supporting individuals with Down syndrome. During her service as a state legislator, she sponsored the Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress’ Act Relative to Down Syndrome Genetic Test Results (H3825) legislation. In Congress, she has served on the Congressional Task Force on Down Syndrome and co-sponsored the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act of 2014.
Before her election to Congress, Clark served her community in elected office as a state senator, state representative, and member of the Melrose School Committee. She also served as general counsel for the Massachusetts Office of Child Care Services and as policy chief for the Massachusetts Attorney General.
She lives in Revere, Massachusetts with her husband and has three children.

Congressman Pete Stauber was born and raised in Duluth, Minnesota, and grew up in a hockey family with five brothers. Currently serving his third term in Congress as the Representative from Minnesota’s Eighth Congressional District, Congressman Stauber serves on the House Natural Resources Committee, the Small Business Committee and the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Congressman Stauber believes that Northeastern Minnesota deserves strong, principled leadership in Washington, D.C. and is focused on unleashing the economic engine in the region. Prior to his time in Congress, Mr. Stauber played professional hockey, served as a St. Louis County Commissioner, City Councilor in Hermantown, and as a police officer in Duluth for over two decades.
Congressman Stauber lives in Hermantown with his wife Jodi, an Iraq War veteran and the first female Command Chief of the 148th Fighter Wing. Together, they are the proud parents of six children: Levi, Luke, Isaac, Addilynn, Theo and Genevieve.
Supporting medical research for those living with Down syndrome is a cause near and dear to Congressman Stauber’s heart as his third son, Isaac, happened to be born with Down syndrome. He and his wife Jodi are forever grateful for the joy Isaac brings to the entire family and the lessons he teaches them every single day.
Congressman Stauber is an advocate for Down syndrome research and has supported budget increases for the National Institutes of Health annually. He is also an original cosponsor of the Protecting Individuals with Down Syndrome Act, which would prevent babies from being aborted because the child has or may have Down syndrome.
Congressman Stauber is a proud supporter of the Global Down Syndrome Foundation. He is honored to be a 2023 Quincy Jones Exceptional Advocacy Award recipient.2023 Special Guests

Robert Aderholt

Tom Cole

Rosa DeLauro

John Hickenlooper

Cathy McMorris Rodgers

David Egan

Frank Stephens

Kyra Phillips

John Roberts

Mark Schlereth
Thank You to Our 2023 Supporters
Top Billboard – $6,000
AdvaMed
Arnold & Porter
AT&T
The Brogan Family
Cox Enterprises
David Egan & Family
Discover Financial Services
H&R Block
Koch Industries
Mastercard
Merck
Narrative Strategies
Retail Industry Leaders Association
Subject Matter
T-Mobile
Visa
Silver – $10,000
American Express
The Ashbrook Family
Cavalry LLC
Comcast NBCUniversal
CTIA
Deloitte
The Mullen Family
Myriad Genetics, Inc.
NCTA
Nike
PwC
Steampunk
Frank Stephens, GLOBAL Board Member
Williams & Jensen
Platinum – $25,000
Kroger
UnitedHealth Group
Valero
Gold – $15,000
PhRMA
Anna & John J. Sie Foundation
About Global Down Syndrome Foundation
The Global Down Syndrome Foundation (GLOBAL) is the largest non-profit in the U.S. working to save lives and dramatically improve health outcomes for people with Down syndrome. GLOBAL has donated more than $32 million to establish the first Down syndrome research institute supporting over 400 scientists and over 2,200 patients with Down syndrome from 33 states and 10 countries. Working closely with Congress and the National Institutes of Health, GLOBAL is the lead advocacy organization in the U.S. for Down syndrome research and medical care. GLOBAL has a membership of over 120 Down syndrome organizations worldwide and is part of a network of Affiliates – the Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, the Sie Center for Down Syndrome, and the University of Colorado Alzheimer’s and Cognition Center – all on the Anschutz Medical Campus.
GLOBAL’s widely circulated medical publications include GLOBAL Medical Care Guidelines for Adults with Down Syndrome, Prenatal Testing and Information about Down Syndrome, and the award-winning Down Syndrome WorldTM magazine. GLOBAL also organizes the Be Beautiful Be Yourself Fashion Show, the largest Down syndrome fundraiser in the world. Visit globaldownsyndrome.org and follow us on social media (Facebook & Twitter: @GDSFoundation, Instagram: @globaldownsyndrome).
By registering, attending, or viewing at any time the Global Down Syndrome Foundation’s (the “Foundation”) AcceptAbility Gala event, or any reproductions, derivate works, or related content thereof (the “Event”), you agree to be bound by the following terms. You agree that the Event may contain copyrighted, trademarked or proprietary information or content protected by intellectual property or other laws. You agree to not instigate, maintain, or authorize any action, claim, or lawsuit against the Foundation, or any other person, on the grounds that the Event infringes any intellectual property rights or related laws. The Foundation does not make any express or implied warranties, endorsements, or representations whatsoever as to the Event or its content. You agree that the Foundation shall in no event be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, or exemplary damages arising directly or indirectly from the Event. You hereby grant the Fountain the right to record, film, live stream, photograph, or capture your likeness in any media in connection with the Event and to distribute, broadcast, or use such media without any further approval by or compensation to you. You agree to not record, rebroadcast, repost, retransmit, or reproduce the Event, any of its content, or any portion thereof without the express written permission of the Foundation. Any public sharing, redistribution, or reproduction of the Event or any portion thereof in any form is strictly prohibited without the express written permission of the Foundation. The Foundation intends to pursue any and all remedies available to it under law or equity in response to any breach of these terms.
2023 SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
2023 Rosa DeLauro and Tom Cole Advancement Award Application
2023 GALA COMMITTEE
Jan Adams
President & CEO, JMA Solutions
Cory Alexander
Strategic Advisor, UnitedHealth Group
John Ashbrook
Founding Partner, Cavalry LLC
Kevin Brennan
Principal, Bluebird Strategies
David Egan
Author, Advocate, & Speaker
Natalie Farr
Government Relations, Subject Matter
Erin Book Mullen
Principal, Williams & Jensen, PLLC
Matthew Perin
Head of Government Relations and Regulatory Affairs, Kroger
Cliff Riccio
Senior Vice President & Chief, Government Relations, NCTA
Julie Riccio
Director, Regulatory Affairs and Public Policy, PwC
Frank Stephens
Author, Actor, and Advocate
Marissa Watkins
Director, GRAIL
Amy Best Weiss
Vice President, Head of U.S. Government Affairs, American Express
Salo Zelermyer
Vice President for Federal Affairs and Counsel, Valero
2023 CONGRESSIONAL HOSTS
Congressman Robert Aderholt
Congresswoman Katherine Clark
Congressman Tom Cole
Senator Steve Daines
Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro
Senator John Hickenlooper
Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers
Senator Jerry Moran
Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton
Congressman Pete Sessions
Congressman Pete Stauber
2023 HONORARY CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE
Congressman Don Bacon
Congressman Andy Barr
Congressman Gus Bilirakis
Congressman Brendan Boyle
Congressman Buddy Carter
Senator Bob Casey
Congresswoman Judy Chu
Congressman David Cicilline
Congresswoman Yvette Clarke
Congressman Emanuel Cleaver
Congressman Lou Correa
Congressman Jason Crow
Senator Ted Cruz
Congresswoman Diana DeGette
Congresswoman Suzan DelBene
Congresswoman Virginia Foxx
Congresswoman Lois Frankel
Congressman Andrew Garbarino
Congressman Robert Garcia
Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia
Congressman Wesley Hunt
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee
Senator John Kennedy
Congresswoman Jen Kiggans
Congressman Derek Kilmer
Senator Amy Klobuchar
Congressman Darin LaHood
Congressman Doug Lamborn
Congressman Rick Larsen
Congressman Bob Latta
Senator Cynthia Lummis
Senator Joe Manchin
Senator Edward Markey
Congressman Brian Mast
Congresswoman Lucy McBath
Congressman Michael McCaul
Congressman Patrick McHenry
Congressman Rob Menendez
Congresswoman Carol Miller
Senator Chris Murphy
Congressman Gregory F. Murphy, M.D.
Congressman Chris Pappas
Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen
Congressman Dean Phillips
Senator Marco Rubio
Congressman Steve Scalise
Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon
Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger
Congresswoman Haley Stevens
Congresswoman Jill Tokuda
Senator Chris Van Hollen
Senator Roger F. Wicker
2023 LIVE AUCTION DONORS
Estée Lauder
Carlo Tamburro
The Whitten Family
ACCEPTABILITY GALA MEDIA
Press Contact:
Anca Elena Call
Email: acall@globaldownsyndrome.org
Cell: 720-320-3832