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.