[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 79 (Friday, May 12, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6589-S6590]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING A COURAGEOUS YOUNG GIRL, AND CARING COMMUNITY
Mr. KEMPTHORNE. Mr. President, I would like to spend just a moment
talking about a courageous young girl in my hometown of Boise, ID.
Nine-year-old Susie Hamilton, a bright, vivacious, and loving girl
suffers from a rare and deadly form of leukemia. She has been in and
out of hospitals in Boise, Salt Lake City, and Seattle for the past 8
months. A bone marrow transplant is her last hope for life.
Mr. President, Susie is blessed with two outstanding parents who are
leaders in the community. Her father, Steve, is a Boise Fire Department
battalion chief, dedicated to saving lives. I have worked with him
personally on a variety of projects. Her mother, Becky, works at Boise
Cascade Corp. Both have spent many long hours away from their jobs to
tend to Susie's needs.
There have been some rough times for Susie, Steve, and Becky. I would
like to read from a newspaper column by Tim Woodward in the Idaho
Statesman, who wrote about this family:
Leukemia along is bad enough, but there were other
heartbreaks. When a match was found for a donor after
hundreds of tests, the donor turned out to have hepatitis.
Susie got it through a transfusion. Last month, she had to
have a lung removed. When a doctor praised her courage, she
whispered, ``What choice, do I have? I want to live.''
The community has responded, raising over $12,000 to offset medical
bills. Today there is a silent auction at Susie's school to raise
money. Boise firefighters have switched shifts so Steve can spend time
with Susie. Boise Cascade has given Becky as much time off as she
needs, and has even given the family use of the corporate jet to fly to
Seattle.
This ribbon I am wearing, Mr. President, is just one more sign of the
community's willingness to rally around their neighbor. Members of the
police and fire departments, sheriff's department, workers at Boise
Cascade, Susie's classmates and teachers, employees at city hall, and
others in Boise are wearing these ribbons to show their support for the
family.
I would like to read this letter I just received from Susie's
grandmother, Barbara Dennett:
My Granddaughter, Susie, was diagnosed with adult leukemia
in October of 1994 and since then has endured prolonged
hospitalization for chemotherapy and several surgery's in
Salt Lake. Susie is now in Seattle undergoing preparations
for a bone-marrow transplant. This is her only chance to
overcome the leukemia--her only hope for survival.
After searching for 8 months for a bone marrow match, isn't
it ironic that on this 50th anniversary of World War II's
death and horror, a German soldier will be the donor to save
the life of a little 9 year old girl in America. I believe
this to be a noteworthy occasion.
This soldier was scheduled to go out on maneuvers, which
would delay the bone marrow transplant 15 more days, but
chose to make himself available for the draw instead stating
he did not wish for her to suffer a minute longer than
necessary. His bone marrow will be hand delivered from
Germany to Seattle. Hand carried, the transplant will begin
the minute it arrives.
Thank you for your time and consideration in seeing that
President Clinton receives this information. When I told
Susie, that every one was praying for her all over the world,
she ask ``even the President of the United States?'' How
could I answer with anything other than ``yes, even the
President''. A card or call from him would go a long way in
helping her believe that we are all telling her the truth
when we say that there is always hope that she will be well
again and a bright future lies ahead.
Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to enter this letter into the
Record. I also ask unanimous consent that the newspaper article be
printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in
the Record, as follows:
Special 9-Year-Old Touches a City's Heart
(By Tim Woodward)
If you've seen a Boise firefighter lately, you may have
noticed he was wearing a purple ribbon on his uniform.
They're wearing purple at City Hall, too. The mayor, city
council members and other office workers all have purple
ribbons pinned to their clothing.
Purple ribbons dot lapels at the Boise Cascade Corp., the
Ada County Sheriff's Department, Life Care Center, hospitals,
doctors' offices, Highlands School.
The ribbons are symbols of support for a kid who has had
more bad luck than any 9-year-old deserves. Susie Hamilton
has a rare and deadly form of leukemia. She has been out of
hospitals nine days in the past eight months. A bone marrow
transplant is her last hope for life.
Steve Hamilton, Susie's father, is a battalion chief with
the Boise Fire Department. Hamilton has dedicated his life to
saving lives. Now his fellow firefighters are helping him in
the fight to save his daughter's life.
When Susie got sick, the firefighters donated shifts so her
father could be with her. When she needed a marrow donor, the
firefighters raised $4,000 and added 527 names to the donor
registry.
Susie's mother, Becky Hamilton, works at Boise Cascade. The
company not only extended her leave time, it flew the family
to Seattle in a corporate jet when Susie needed to see a
specialist there.
On May 12, the fire department, Boise Cascade employees,
the sheriff's department, Highlands School and civic groups
will sponsor a silent auction to raise money for medical
expenses. Businesses
have donated raft trips, airplane rides, bicycles and other
prizes. The auction will be at Highlands, Susie's school.
``Everywhere we go, whether it's the hospital in Salt Lake
or the one in Seattle, the people we work with are just
amazed at the support network we have in Boise,'' Steve
Hamilton said. ``They say it's unheard of in this day and age
to have that kind of community involvement.''
So far, Boiseans have donated more than $12,000 to the
Susie Hamilton Leukemia Account (200 N. 4th St, Boise, ID
83702). Velma Morrison dropped by last week with a check for
$2,500.
One of Susie's grandmothers helped her write a children's
book. ``Lillie the Laughing Giraffe Loses Her Spots and
That's No Laughing Matter'' will go on sale May 12. Boise's
Legendary Publishing Co. donated its services. All of the
proceeds will be used for Susie's medical expenses.
``Boise is known as the City of Trees, but to me it's the
city of love,'' Susie said. ``. . . I've learned a lot about
love and friendship and caring since I got sick. I want to
thank everyone who has helped me--my friends, my family and
people I'll never get a chance to meet.''
Leukemia alone is bad enough, but there were other
heartbreaks. When a match was found for a donor after
hundreds of tests, the donor turned out to have hepatitis.
Susie got it through a transfusion.
Last month, she had to have a lung removed. When a doctor
praised her courage, she whispered, ``What choice do I have?
I want to live.''
The search for a donor was worldwide. The winner: a soldier
in the German army. The transplant will be May 10, in
Seattle.
Hundreds of people will be thinking about a brave little
girl that day.
They'll be saying prayers, wearing purple ribbons, hoping a
miracle will save a life that has touched a city's heart.
[[Page S6590]]
____
Mr. KEMPTHORNE. I have good news today, Mr. President. Susie Hamilton
underwent 15 hours of surgery yesterday at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer
Center in Seattle, receiving the bone marrow from that German soldier.
I am pleased to say early reports are positive, and the prognosis is
good.
Mr. President, I will be sending a ribbon just like this to the White
House today so that President Clinton can affirm to Susie through
correspondence that everyone is praying for her speedy and thorough
recovery so that we can all affirm that there is always hope where
there is prayer, and that truly people all over the world are praying
for Susie, and to acknowledge the support of the community of Boise and
all of Susie's friends as they rally around a neighbor, which I think
is the spirit that does bring about not only hope but the positive
results that we want.
Mr. President, I thank you. I suggest the absence of a quorum.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the role.
The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for
the quorum call be rescinded.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, I further ask unanimous consent that I
might proceed now as in morning business.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
____________________