[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 51 (Wednesday, April 14, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E642]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                IN HONOR OF THE LATE BRIAN THOMAS MOORE

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. DOUG OSE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 14, 1999

  Mr. OSE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a young man I 
came to know some years ago. Brian Thomas Moore was a ten year old boy 
when I first met him. He had joined a boys soccer team that I was 
coaching. Brian quickly prove to be feisty, competitive and competent 
in the game of soccer and the game of life. He was a pleasure to have 
on the team.
  I never met Brian's father, who died of cancer when Brian was quite 
young. I am told that he was a real gentleman, taking a steady interest 
in Brian's development and the growth of Brian's many friends. His 
influence with Brian manifested itself every day of Brian's life. Over 
time, the father's influence came to fruition with a fine young man as 
the end product.
  Brian suffered from a bout with cancer in his teens. Brian never told 
me of the illness; he just carried on with life as it was given to him. 
Over time, Brian came to be one of the top soccer players in the 
Sacramento metropolitan area, dominating games from end to end and side 
to side. Eventually, I had the pleasure of playing alongside my former 
player, watching with fascination as his skills came to exceed mine, 
his determination came to dominate mine, and his desire to overcome 
resulted in victory after victory after victory. These were great days 
in his life and mine, having the pleasure of seeing a young man mature 
into a fine adult, a tremendous role model for those older and younger, 
and steady influence on his many friends.
  Brian's mother succumbed to cancer during his ongoing illness. She 
was good people. I remember her attending virtually every one of 
Brian's games as a young man. She would bring Brian and his friends to 
the game, root them on, celebrate their victory and console them in 
defeat. She was a great mom, like so many other great moms.
  I learned of Brian's relapse with cancer the night of my primary 
victory. Brian never lost faith in his ability to overcome the illness, 
hoping against fate that science and medicine would create a cure. In 
the end, the hopes were in vain. On Friday night, April 9, 1999, Brian 
succumbed to the pneumonia that came with a depressed immune system 
resulting from chemotherapy. At 10:00 am this morning, Brian Thomas 
Moore was laid to rest.
  I keep in my mind's eye a picture of my friend, fleet afoot, racing 
down the field for the ball in some game of momentary importance. I see 
him reach the ball first and fire it into the net for victory. He 
turns, having raised his arms in triumph, and his friends race to him 
to celebrate. It is a moment of pure joy and satisfaction. This is the 
mind's eye picture I keep of my friend. I miss him already.

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