[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 132 (Monday, September 29, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1885]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO DEKERRIAN WARE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARTIN FROST

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 29, 1997

  Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Dekerrian Ware, the 1997-98 
national poster child for sickle cell disease and a student in my 
congressional district. Dekerrian is 8 years old, and is a third grade 
honor student at David K. Sellars Elementary School in Fort Worth, TX.
  Dekerrian is as active as most boys are his age by playing football, 
basketball, riding his bicycle, and keeping busy with his church 
activities. But because of sickle cell disease, there are times when he 
is too sick to do the things you and I take for granted.
  Dekerrian, however, is a young man filled with strength and 
determination, and I believe that he will be able to achieve anything 
he sets out to do. Dekerrian is a true champion in life and in school 
as he copes with this genetic blood disease which has no cure.
  Mr. Speaker, September is National Sickle Cell Disease Awareness 
Month and there is still much to do in combating this disease. Sickle 
cell anemia, the most common form of the disease, affects 1 in 500 
African-Americans, or about 72,000 Americans.
  All newborn babies should be tested for sickle cell, because all 
forms of sickle cell disease are inherited. Children inherit genes for 
the disease from their parents, and we need to encourage everyone to 
learn more about sickle cell disease.
  Dekerrian is a true hero to all of us who are fighting sickle cell, 
and an inspiration to those who confront this illness.

                          ____________________