[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 100 (Tuesday, July 15, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1431]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO JANE SMITH STEWART

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BOB ETHERIDGE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 15, 1997

  Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to one of the 
most thoughtful, caring, and courageous women I ever knew, Jane Smith 
Stewart, who lived in my hometown of Lillington, NC.
  Tragically, Jane Stewart passed away June 7, the very same day that 
here in Washington and in North Carolina's capital city of Raleigh, 
thousands participated in the ``Race for the Cure'' to raise money for 
cancer patients.
  Jane was a registered nurse by training, educated at East Carolina 
University, and she was active in the Spring Hill United Methodist 
Church where she extensively worked with the youth program. Jane always 
cared about young people.
  Jane Stewart was an amazing person, and for those who had the joy of 
knowing her, would have been hard pressed to point to a single 
characteristic or quality that defined her character.
  Maybe it was her rare courage. Despite her painful illness, she 
remained active in the community and most of all with her three 
children. Though doctors told her she was too sick, she would go and 
watch her children participate in baseball and basketball and other 
activities. Her actions were and still are an inspiration to other 
cancer patients who knew her.
  Or maybe it was her inner strength or faith that enabled her to carry 
on her activities in life despite being sick. She was always worried 
and concerned about the needs of others even as she faced her own 
battle with cancer.
  She never stopped caring for her church, her community, or her 
family.
  Mr. Speaker, I count myself as lucky because I knew Jane Stewart. She 
is survived by her husband Frank, and their three sons, Greg, Doug, and 
Brad Stewart, and her parents Bill and Donna Smith of Rocky Mount.
  Their loss is also our loss. Her memory will continue to inspire us. 
Indeed, our community will surely miss Jane Smith Stewart.

                          ____________________