[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 23 (Thursday, February 27, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E342]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO YOUNG KEON HOOKS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. C.W. BILL YOUNG

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 27, 1997

  Mr. YOUNG of Florida. Mr. Speaker, it is with heavy heart that I 
advise my colleagues in the House of the death of a young 7-year-old 
boy named Keon Hooks of Clearwater, FL. Keon died on Friday, February 
21, 1997, of a plastic anemia, a form of leukemia.
  Keon was in need of a bone marrow transplant, and as you know, I have 
championed the National Bone Marrow Registry for years. Whenever I 
learn of a case like Keon I cannot help but ask myself, as well as my 
colleagues, what more can we do to encourage people to join the 
National Bone Marrow Registry in an effort to be a potential match and 
donor.
  Despite repeated drives for Keon, a match for him was not found. As a 
last resort his mother Stacy donated her bone marrow in October, even 
though it was only a partial match. Two other transplants were needed 
for Keon as his body was rejecting his mother's bone marrow and 
succumbed to several infections.
  Still, Keon fought valiantly for his life and always kept a smile on 
his face. He was known as a practical joker, and I recall how he would 
attend bone marrow drives in the African-American communities of the 
Tampa Bay area to thank those who were signing up for the registry and 
to join in trying to get others to participate.
  On Saturday, 1 week short of his 8th birthday, Keon will be buried. 
His funeral service will be the birthday party he wanted to celebrate. 
Today, in Keon's memory, let us pledge ourselves to redouble our 
efforts in our local communities to recruit our constituents to join 
the National Bone Marrow Registry so that ``the gift of life''--a bone 
marrow transplant--can be passed to those who like Keon are in need of 
this lifesaving procedure.
  Finally, let us set a moment aside to remember Keon. The inspiration 
he has left in my district and in the entire Tampa Bay area is hard to 
describe, but I know that this young man, a fighter whose disease still 
could not take away his admiration of his mother and sisters and his 
love of life, will be cherished by all who had come to know him.

                          ____________________