[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 79 (Monday, June 7, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1145]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    IN RECOGNITION OF ALICIA DENIHAN

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, June 7, 1999

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate an 
outstanding young woman, Miss Alicia Denihan, on her graduation from 
Valley Forge High School in Parma, Ohio.
  Her graduation is an achievement that took tremendous strength and 
determination. In December 1995, while walking home from a friend's 
house, Alicia was struck by a drunk driver, leaving her with multiple 
and critical injuries. She was in critical condition for days and 
suffered severe head trauma and injuries which included a broken hip, 
cheekbone and lacerated liver. Once involved in numerous athletic 
activities such as ballet, karate, ice skating, gymnastics and 
volleyball, Alicia lay comatose for two months.
  Initially her prognosis was not promising. Doctors did not expect she 
would ever wake up, walk, talk, read or write. However, Miss Denihan 
far exceeded those expectations. After months of hard work in speech 
and physical therapy Alicia was able to return to school by April of 
1996. This miracle young person used only a walker as an aid.
  As a result of Alicia's courage and the support of her family 
members, teachers, doctors, and therapists, Alicia will attend her high 
school graduation ceremony on June 8. She plans to attend Cuyahoga 
Community college where she will major in creative marketing.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that my fellow colleagues join me in 
congratulating this remarkable young woman on her accomplishments. I 
wish her continued success in her recovery and future endeavors.

                          ____________________