[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 93 (Tuesday, July 14, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1297]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          COMMENDING KIM BEAL

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. JOHN ELIAS BALDACCI

                                of maine

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 14, 1998

  Mr. BALDACCI. Mr. Speaker, during the July District Work Period, I 
had the opportunity to meet an extraordinary young girl from Addison, 
Maine. Kim Beal, who is now 11 years old, is a true American hero. I am 
pleased to be able to bring her to the attention of the House.
  Kim has faced many challenges in her life. Diagnosed at the age of 4, 
Kim has battled a rare form of cancer. She has received chemotherapy 
treatments, has faced surgeries, and has developed a weakened heart, a 
common side effect of some forms of chemotherapy.
  But her positive attitude and will to survive have kept her going, 
and kept her one step ahead of the cancer. Today, there is no sign of 
the cancer in Kim.
  That is battle enough to qualify Kim for the designation of ``hero.'' 
But that is not all of Kim's story.
  During her recovery from cancer, Kim learned to swim. Doctors 
recommended swimming as a good sport to help Kim regain strength in her 
chest where her tumor was removed. Over time, she has become a very 
strong and confident swimmer.
  The past April, her swimming skills were put to the test. As she 
played by the pool at a hotel in Ellsworth, Maine, 4 year old Morgan 
Beal (who is the daughter of Kim's 4-H leader and is not related to 
Kim) jumped into the pool while an adult was distracted. Kim heard the 
splash, and looked over to see that the girl could not swim. Kim swam 
to the girl, grabbed hold of her, and swam toward the side of the pool. 
Although the girl was grasping at Kim and making it difficult for her 
to swim, Kim managed to get her to the side of the pool where others 
helped to pull her out.
  It is no understatement to say that Kim's actions that day were 
heroic. She put her own safety at risk to help a small child who was 
drowning. Were it not for Kim's actions, the day could have been 
tragic.
  While in my District, I was pleased to have the opportunity to 
present Kim Beal with the Role Model of the Year Award at the Maine 4-H 
Teen Conference. Kim truly is a role model for all her peers, and I'm 
glad she is getting the recognition she so clearly deserves.

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