[Congressional Bills 113th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 509 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

113th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 509

 A resolution honoring the extraordinary and courageous life of Mattie 
                               Stepanek.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             July 21, 2014

   Ms. Mikulski (for herself and Mr. Cardin) submitted the following 
             resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 A resolution honoring the extraordinary and courageous life of Mattie 
                               Stepanek.

Whereas Matthew ``Mattie'' Joseph Thaddeus Stepanek, was born on July 17, 1990, 
        in Rockville, Maryland;
Whereas Mattie Stepanek was born with a rare form of Muscular Dystrophy--
        Dysautonomic Mitochondrial Myopathy;
Whereas the siblings of Mattie Stepanek--Katie, Stevie, and Jamie--were 
        diagnosed with the same rare disease;
Whereas Mattie Stepanek began writing poetry, short stories, and essays to deal 
        with grief over the death of his siblings;
Whereas the writings of Mattie Stepanek reflected his deep understanding of our 
        ever-evolving world and the need for hope and peace;
Whereas Mattie Stepanek became a 7-time New York Times best-selling author;
Whereas Mattie Stepanek gave inspiration and educational speeches to audiences 
        ranging from school children to business leaders and politicians;
Whereas Mattie Stepanek spoke about spirituality, disability, education, and 
        health care, delivering a message of hope and peace to his audiences;
Whereas the words of Mattie Stepanek inspired millions of people around the 
        world, including the 39th President of the United States, who was a 
        friend of Mattie and delivered his eulogy;
Whereas Mattie Stepanek engaged in public service, working with Children's 
        Hospice International to improve guidelines for the health and hospice 
        care of children and serving as a 3-term National Goodwill Ambassador 
        for the Muscular Dystrophy Association;
Whereas Mattie Stepanek has been honored with numerous awards, during his 
        lifetime and posthumously, including the Children's Hope Medal of Honor 
        and induction into the Kids Hall of Fame;
Whereas Mattie Stepanek passed away on June 22, 2004, at Children's National 
        Medical Center in Washington, D.C.;
Whereas the mother of Mattie continues to raise awareness about the message of 
        hope and peace that Mattie delivered and led the effort to create the 
        Mattie J.T. Stepanek Park in Rockville, Maryland;
Whereas the Mattie Stepanek Foundation celebrates July 17th as ``Mattie Stepanek 
        World Peace Day''; and
Whereas recognizing the 24th birthday of Mattie Stepanek honors the compassion 
        and dedication to hope that Mattie embodied: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate honors the extraordinary life and legacy 
of Matthew ``Mattie'' Stepanek.
                                 <all>