[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 123 (Thursday, July 27, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1523]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                    TRIBUTE TO DEBORAH JUDE ANTHONY

                                 ______


                       HON. ESTEBAN EDWARD TORRES

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 26, 1995
  Mr. TORRES. Mr. Speaker, it is with profound sadness that I inform my 
colleagues of the tragic death of Deborah Jude Anthony. I first met 
Debby when she participated in my district's Congressional Award 
program. Having earned the Silver Medal in October 1993, Debby was 
working on attaining her Gold Medal. She was expected to receive it in 
1996.
  Though she had spina bifida and cerebral palsy, Debby achieved more 
than most. In addition to earning the Congressional Award, Debby earned 
an athletic letter in swimming from Charter Oak High School and was to 
receive, in September, the Gold Award given to only 15 of 20,000 Girl 
Scouts each year.
  According to news reports, on Monday night while at home, a freak 
short circuit in her wheelchair sparked a fire that killed her before 
emergency personnel arrived.
  In a December, 1993, letter to me, Debby's mother, Judith D. Anthony, 
wrote about Debby's participation in the Congressional Award:

       As a mother of a physically disabled child, I watched Debby 
     painfully struggling all these years--not to achieve--not 
     even to keep up with her peers, but merely to survive. It has 
     been a struggle against all odds. In a world where academic 
     and physical achievements measure success, Debby did not have 
     a chance. The Congressional Award, however, made success and 
     achievement not only a possibility, but a reality for her. I 
     truly believe this kind of award brings forth recognition of 
     the true heroes of our youth, because it is based on personal 
     development, service and physical challenge.

  Mr. Speaker, Debby was and will continue to be an inspiration for me 
and a bright star in our community. Her presence will be sorrily 
missed. I ask my colleagues to keep her family in their thoughts and to 
join me in saluting this outstanding and accomplished young American.


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