Skip to content

A Life in Photos: Mary Tyler Moore Was a Fixture on Hill for Diabetes Research

The iconic actress, who suffered from diabetes, died Wednesday at age 80

Mary Tyler Moore and Speaker Newt Gingrich, R-Ga.
Mary Tyler Moore and Speaker Newt Gingrich, R-Ga.

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:

DaschleT.2(DG) 090700 -- Tom Daschle, D-S.D., meets with TV star Mary Tyler Moore, as she lobbies him on juvenile type 1diabetes.
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.
diabetes4/062403 - Abby Wolter, 8, of Alton, Ill., speaks to Actress and C.hairman 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 critcal need to find a cure for juvenile diabetes, from which all the children suffer. Moore testified on behalf of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, because she has suffered with the disease since the 60's.
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.
International chairman of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International (JDRF) Children's Congress 2005, Mary Tyler Moore speaks to child delegates and parents on the West Front of the Captiol, to kick off awareness activities in D.C. She testify before a Senate hearing, tomorrow (Tuesday 6/21) with 150 child delegates that traveled to D.C. to remind Congress and the Administration of the critical need to find a cure for the disease.
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.
Delegates for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International (JDRF) Children's Congress 2005, Kendra Parker, 4, of Utah, left, and Madie Poulin, 5, of R.I., wait to perform a song on the West Front of the Captiol, to kick off awareness activities in D.C. The two suffer from Type I (Juvenile) Diabetes and were part of 150 delegation that traveled to D.C. to remind Congress and the Administration of the critical need to find a cure for the disease. The children will testify before a Senate hearing, tomorrow (Tuesday 6/21) with JDRF Internationall chairman Mary Tyler Moore, who appears in the background.
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.
Mary Tyler Moore, International Chairman of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation 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.
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.
House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., talks with Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International chairman Mary Tyler Moore after meeting with her about the disease.
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.
Actress Mary Tyler Moore, JDRF international chairman, testifies during the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing on Juvenile Diabetes Research on Tuesday, June 19, 2007.
June 19, 2007: Actress Mary Tyler Moore testifies during the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing on juvenile diabetes research.
Mary Tyler Moore, international chairman of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation spoke at a National Press Club Newsmaker Luncheon on finding a cure for diabetes, May 28, 2009.
May 28, 2009: Mary Tyler Moore spoke at a National Press Club Newsmaker Luncheon on finding a cure for diabetes.

Recent Stories

Trump pardons nearly all Jan. 6 defendants, orders prison releases

These 12 Democrats voted for the GOP immigration bill dubbed the Laken Riley Act

Senate panel advances Trump pick to lead Homeland Security

Senate confirms Marco Rubio as secretary of State

Trump renews threat to take back Panama Canal

Trump inauguration: ‘American carnage’ gets a fresh coat of paint