[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 163 (Friday, October 20, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1985]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E1985]]


                       TRIBUTE TO GEOFFREY SACKETT

                                 ______


                          HON. LYNN C. WOOLSEY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 19, 1995

  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mr. Geoffrey 
Sackett, a man who lived a remarkable life in Marin County, CA before 
he tragically passed away at the age of 48.
  As a young child, Geofffrey Sackett was motivated to reach inside 
himself, to find and foster a courage that cruel necessities demanded. 
He spent 2 years of his childhood fighting polio, only to recover and 
face yet another disease, diabetes. Geoffrey celebrated his entry into 
adulthood with a quadruple heart bypass operation. Again, he was 
struck, only this time with an illness he couldn't beat--AIDS. And, 
again, Geoffrey found the strength to endure a long, long struggle with 
a terrible disease.
  Last summer, Geoffrey's battles with his own body ended as his 
glorious spirit finally flickered out. Marin County, the State of 
California, and indeed our entire country, lost a treasure with 
Geoffrey Sackett's death.
  Geoffrey's family and friends marveled at his ability, even as a 
child, to endure through debilitating diseases with little complaint. 
Geoffrey was always too busy helping others, and too busy working to 
make the world more humane.
  As part of his commitment to making the world a better place, 
Geoffrey strove to keep others free from AIDS through the Needle 
Exchange Program in Marin County. He worked with the Marin County Board 
of Supervisors to have a state of emergency declared in Marin County, 
thus allowing for a legal needle exchange program. He spent countless 
hours, in the cold, in the rain, in the streets and in the parks, 
exchanging clean needles nonjudgmentally to humans in need. There are 
many who will never know his name, but who will live because of his 
efforts.
  Mr. Speaker, it is in those people, and in our hearts, that 
Geoffrey's great giving spirit lives on. The kindness and generosity 
Geoffrey demonstrated in his community is an example for us all.

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