[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 204 (Tuesday, December 19, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2416]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        IN MEMORY OF TOBY FARMER

                                 ______


                           HON. RALPH M. HALL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 19, 1995

  Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, during this holiday season our 
thoughts naturally turn to children--our own children and 
grandchildren, children of our friends, children in our community, 
children in need. I would like to tell my colleagues about a special 
child, Andrew Michael ``Toby'' Farmer, a child who died of cancer on 
December 2.
  Words are inadequate to convey our sense of grief and compassion in 
the loss of a child. Andrew was 10 years old, the son of David and 
Janet Farmer of Stafford County and brother to Allison Marie Farmer. He 
was a fifth-grade student at Garrisonville Elementary School. And he 
was a fighter. His mother wrote to me, ``Andrew had a tough time, but 
he never, ever complained. He was and is the strongest person I have 
ever known.
  Such courage in the face of death--particularly such courage in a 
young boy--humbles and saddens us, Mr. Speaker, but also should inspire 
us to work harder to find the elusive cure for a disease that 
prematurely ends too many lives each year. We must be sure that 
programs vital to biomedical research are protected and strengthened 
where needed. One of those programs, Mr. Speaker, is the international 
space station, and I commend this body for supporting funding of the 
space station earlier this year. The weightless environment of the 
space station has enormous potential for medical research--research 
that could lead to cures or better treatments for cancer and other 
diseases--and I urge my colleagues to continue support for such 
programs in the years to come.
  Our hearts go out to Andrew's parents, sister, grandparents, and his 
many friends, and I ask my colleagues also to join me today in paying 
our last respects to this brave young man. Andrew ``Toby'' Farmer lived 
the remaining days of what should have been the normal life of a 10-
year-old boy by displaying extraordinary strength and courage. Mr. 
Speaker, he is an inspiration to all those who knew him and loved him--
and he will be missed.

                          ____________________