[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 7 (Thursday, February 5, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E105]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                JOHN HOGAN III, A VERY SPECIAL YOUNG MAN

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD B.H. SOLOMON

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, February 5, 1998

  Mr. SOLOMON. Mr. Speaker, in today's cynical, selfish world, it is 
rare to find an individual whose pure goodness, compassion and selfless 
generosity transcend his own personal travails. I would like to bring 
to your attention just such a person, 11-year old John Hogan III of 
Hadley, New York.
  Diagnosed at birth with cerebral palsy and a seizure disorder, John's 
doctors did not expect him to survive. However, John beat the odds, 
earning the opportunity to embark on what has already become a 
remarkable life. Because of his medical conditions, John was referred 
to the Make-a-Wish program of Northeastern New York, an organization 
which arranges for children with life-threatening illnesses to realize 
their dreams. Unlike many young people, John's dream was not to meet a 
celebrity or to go to Disney World. John's only wish was to feed the 
homeless--a desire to which he held firm despite the efforts of 
volunteers and other adults to convince him to do something special for 
himself. This incredible young man would not be dissuaded from his 
goal.
  Through Make-a-Wish, John arranged for $50,000 worth of food to be 
distributed to food banks in his area, riding along in the cab beside a 
truck driver to personally deliver the 22 tons of much-needed food 
donated by a local supermarket chain. Although John's wish initially 
flabbergasted the Make-a-Wish volunteers, John's mother was not at all 
surprised. ``He's always been this way,'' she said, ``He shares 
everything with others.'' In fact, she remembered, when his parents 
would give him quarters to play in an arcade, John would instead give 
them away to his brothers. Feeding the homeless was simply a natural 
next step for this selfless young man, who hopes one day to become a 
minister.
  Mr. Speaker, John Hogan is an example we should all strive to follow. 
Faced with adversity from the very beginning of his young life, John 
has not only coped with his situation, he has triumphed over it through 
his spirit of kindness and generosity. I ask that all members join me 
in rising to express our thanks and admiration for this remarkable 
young man. I only hope we can all achieve at some point in our lives 
the strength and compassion which he has accomplished already in eleven 
short years.

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