[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 147 (Thursday, October 15, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S12657-S12658]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO MOLLY ALLEN

  Mr. BROWNBACK. Mr. President, it gives me great pleasure to recognize 
an outstanding young fifth grade student from Kansas, Molly Allen. 
Molly is a student at Sunset Ridge Elementary School in Shawnee 
Mission, and was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes in July. Since that 
time, Molly brought awareness about this disease to her fellow 
classmates by sharing her personal experience.
  In addition, Molly organized her school's effort to raise money for 
the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation's walk, which was Saturday, September 
19, 1998. This courageous young lady exemplifies leadership and 
courage. I am proud to recognize one of Kansas' outstanding young 
leaders. I wish Molly continued success in her future endeavors, and I 
ask that the Kansas City Star article featuring Molly follow my remarks 
in the Congressional Record.
  The article follows:

              [From the Kansas City Star, Sept. 19, 1998]

                   Student Walking To Fight Diabetes

                         (By Anne Christiansen)

       When 10-year-old Molly Allen participates in the Walk to 
     Cure Diabetes today, she'll have 4 miles ahead of her and 459 
     feet behind her.
       That's how many paper sneakers cover the windows of her 
     elementary school--the newly opened Sunset Ridge. They're put 
     there as a visual indicator of how much money students have 
     raised so far--$459--only halfway through a six--day fund 
     drive that ends Wednesday.
       Molly was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes in July. Since 
     that time, she's talked to classes at the school from her own 
     fifth grade right down to kindergarten.
       ``They asked me why I have to wear this bracelet,'' she 
     said, twirling the medical alert chain around her wrist. 
     ``They ask me if the (insulin) shots hurt. They were really 
     pretty mature about it.''
       She's brought in the device that measures the glucose in 
     her blood. She's taught her friends to look for signs of low 
     blood sugar.
       She's also spearheaded the school's effort to raise money 
     for the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation's walk, which begins at 
     10 a.m. today in Shawnee Mission Park.
       Principal Jane Fletcher said she has been impressed with 
     Molly's dedication.
       ``She got on the intercom, and she said, `Thank you for 
     helping me.' that took a lot of courage,'' Fletcher said.
       When school first started, some of the students were afraid 
     they would ``catch'' diabetes from Molly.
       ``I had to explain to them that it wasn't that kind of 
     disease,'' she said.
       She also had to explain to her class why she was allowed a 
     mid-morning snack in class while the rest of the students 
     salivated jealously.
       ``They said, `What are you doing?' because only a few of 
     the girls knew before school started that I had diabetes,'' 
     she explained.

[[Page S12658]]

       Molly's mother, Norma Allen, said it wasn't easy for Molly 
     at first.
       ``No child wants to be singled out as being different,'' 
     she said. ``But once everyone at school understood the 
     disease, they've been so supportive.''
       Judy Marino, school nurse at Sunset Ridge, said she's been 
     thrilled with the response the students and staff have given 
     Molly.
       ``Of course, she's done most of it by herself,'' she said. 
     ``She's a great girl.''
       With a snack in her pocket, Molly has been able to stay 
     active in her long list of athletic interests: basketball, 
     cheerleading, softball, soccer, swimming and tennis.
       She said she's looking forward to the walk today.
       ``I feel like a lot of people care about me,'' she said. 
     ``With this much help, we will find a cure for 
     diabetes.''

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