[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 130 (Friday, September 25, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1813]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  IN MEMORY OF MARK FIELDS (1978-1997): WE MUST PRESS FORWARD IN THE 
                          FIGHT AGAINST CANCER

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TOM LANTOS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 25, 1998

  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, this weekend cancer survivors from across 
America will gather in Washington for ``The March--Coming Together to 
Conquer Cancer,'' a crusade to strengthen cancer research and improve 
methods of treatment. As we join together in support of this important 
event, I believe that it is appropriate to recall the spirit of one who 
would not let this vicious disease destroy his good heart and dauntless 
soul.
  I would like to ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the memory 
of Mark Fields, a brave young man from San Mateo, California, who 
passed away thirteen months ago after a four year fight against 
leukemia. Mark was an intelligent, articulate teenager with interests 
not unlike those of most boys and girls his age--computers, Camaros, 
cycling, and Star Trek. The obstacles he faced, however, were far from 
typical.
  Mark was an exceptional individual not because of his cancer--tens of 
thousands of children and adolescents are diagnosed with this awful 
disease every year--but rather as a result of his perseverance in 
pursuing his dreams and desires at a time when he would have been 
excused for allowing his spirit to be suppressed by chemotherapy, pain, 
and fear.
  Mark's inspiring character is best reflected in a letter which he 
wrote to President Clinton on February 11, 1997, urging that all 
children's hospitals be equipped with computers to help children 
continue their school work during periods of illness. He eloquently 
used his personal experiences as a child with cancer to articulate the 
need for such a program.
  Mark Fields was not able to pursue his dream of a college degree, and 
he did not have the opportunity to work with President Clinton to place 
computers in children's hospitals across America. He passed away on 
August 28, 1997, just six months after he authored this letter. Mark's 
fight is now our fight, and our efforts on behalf of children with 
cancer must be furthered in his memory.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to enter Mark's letter to President Clinton 
into the Congressional Record.

                                 San Mateo, CA, February 11, 1997.
     President William Clinton,
     The White House, Washington, DC.
     Subject: Children's Hospital Computers

       Dear President Clinton: I listened to your State of the 
     Union Address and I was very pleased to hear that you have 
     asked that all children's hospitals be equipped with 
     computers to help children keep up with their school work.
       I am very interested in this plan because I spent two and 
     half years receiving medical treatment for leukemia at 
     Lucille Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford, California. 
     During this period, I spent what amounted to seven and a half 
     months overnight at the hospital, with my longest stay being 
     45 days. Thankfully, those treatments are nearly two years 
     behind me and I am feeling great.
       During my treatments I was able to complete some high 
     school credits by working with home tutors, but while I was 
     in the hospital, I was definitely alone and out of touch with 
     my school, my teachers and my classmates. This is why I know 
     your plan is definitely needed.
       Also, while I was at Children's Hospital, I was asked to 
     participate in the Starbright Foundations's computer link of 
     five major children's hospitals across the nation. This is an 
     excellent way for children from one hospital to connect with 
     children in another hospital. It offers the ability to 
     ``chat'' and play games on-line, but a connection to schools 
     is definitely needed. Your plan might work well with the 
     Starbright program.
       During my senior year I have worked at a local computer 
     store and have realized my interest and abilities are in the 
     computer field, and I will earn a college degree in computer 
     science.
       I not only commend you for your hospital computer plan, I 
     would also like to offer you my services. Since I am in the 
     unique position of having been a patient at a children's 
     hospital as well as being very computer literate, I would 
     appreciate the opportunity to assist you in whatever way I 
     can.
       I look forward to hearing from you.
           Respectfully yours,
                                                      Mark Fields.

     

                          ____________________