While Mary Tyler Moore became a household name across the country with leading roles on “The Dick Van Dyke Show” and “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” in the 60s and 70s, she made a name in Washington as an influential advocate for juvenile diabetes research.
The symbol for working women of her generation used her star power, and post as chairwoman of the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation International, to ask Congress on numerous occasions for research funding for the disease. She suffered from diabetes for many years. She also met with Congress about her support of embryonic stem cell research.
Here’s a look into Roll Call’s archives of Moore’s time on the Hill:
Sept. 7, 2000: Sen. Tom Daschle, D-S.D., meets with television star Mary Tyler Moore, as she lobbies him on juvenile type 1 diabetes.
June 24, 2003: Abby Wolter, 8, of Alton, Ill., speaks to actress and chairwoman of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Mary Tyler Moore, during a hearing in which 200 children appeared to remind Congress and the administration of the critical need to find a cure for juvenile diabetes. Moore testified on behalf of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
June 20, 2005: International chairwoman of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International Children’s Congress, Mary Tyler Moore, speaks to child delegates and parents on the West Front of the Capitol to kick off awareness activities in D.C. She would testify before a Senate hearing the next day with 150 child delegates to remind Congress of the need for a cure.
June 20, 2005: Delegates for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International Children’s Congress, Kendra Parker, 4, of Utah, left, and Madie Poulin, 5, of Rhode Island, wait to perform a song on the West Front of the Capitol.
July 18, 2006: Mary Tyler Moore meets with Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., to express her support for passage of legislation that will expand federal funding for stem cell research.
March 20, 2007: House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn, D-S.C., talks with Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International chairwoman Mary Tyler Moore after meeting with her about the disease.
June 19, 2007: Actress Mary Tyler Moore testifies during the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing on juvenile diabetes research.
May 28, 2009: Mary Tyler Moore spoke at a National Press Club Newsmaker Luncheon on finding a cure for diabetes.
