[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 8 (Thursday, February 3, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Pages S338-S339]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      IN MEMORY OF EMILY ANN JORDT

 Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the memory 
of an extraordinary and courageous young lady. Emily Ann Jordt, 
daughter of Bill and Deb Jordt of Hinton, Iowa, passed away on March 
15, 1999, after fighting cancer for three years. My heart is heavy for 
the Jordt family. No one would disagree that cancer is a devastating 
illness. However, when cancer touches the life of a child, it seems an 
especially harsh reality. I know from personal experience the 
difficulties that follow a cancer diagnosis. My wife, Barbara, is a 
breast cancer survivor and we believe early detection saved her life. I 
have long supported biomedical research, and Emily's story reminds all 
of us the importance of remaining vigilant in providing funding for 
cancer research. To quote Emily, ``We can do this together.'' It is my 
hope that by sharing Emily's story with my colleagues in the Senate, 
Emily's memory may be truly honored.

             Emily's Story--A Life of Strength and Courage

       Emily was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, an aggressive 
     childhood cancer, in 1996 when she was only nine years old. 
     While this cancer is usually found in muscle tissue in an 
     extremity, Emily's was in her jaw and neck. Emily was 
     frightened. Her grandfather had died of lung cancer. Emily 
     came to understand that there were many kinds of cancers, and 
     that not everyone dies of this disease. Emily joined her 
     family and doctors in what was to become a three-year fight 
     for her life.
       Emily had surgery to remove a tumor below her lower right 
     jaw. Her best chance for remission was simultaneous radiation 
     and chemotherapy treatment. Even though interruptions in the 
     harsh protocol were needed for her body to recover, radiation 
     was completed, and chemotherapy resumed.
       After radiation Emily had difficulty with muscles of her 
     tongue and throat. A feeding tube was surgically implanted 
     and she used a suction machine to clear her throat and 
     airways. She bravely adjusted to this life-style.
       Emily dearly loved school. She maintained an A-B average 
     throughout her illness. She played trumpet in the school 
     band. When a facial nerve was impaired because of surgery, 
     she switched to percussion and continued on. She served as a 
     customer representative of the Westerner Bank in her school. 
     She was an ardent fundraiser for school projects. Her 
     classmates regarded her as a peacemaker.
       Emily played soccer in a YMCA league throughout her 
     treatment. She loved the sport. She was back on the soccer 
     field and played most of a full game only 11 days after 
     having major surgery to remove the tumor a second time.
       Emily planned and presented a writer's workshop entitled 
     ``Getting through the Tough Stuff'' where she encouraged 
     young people her age to use writing as a vehicle to deal with 
     the difficult challenges of life and be sensitive and caring 
     to others.
       Picture a nine-year-old presenting her concerns about and 
     suggestions for pediatric

[[Page S339]]

     care to the Board of Directors of the hospital where she 
     spent a great deal of time. Emily did it. She believed that 
     one person can make a difference. And Emily did make a 
     difference.
       Emily was active in 4-H, serving as vice-president of her 
     club. She chose many categories in which to participate, 
     everything from showing her 4-month old filly to playing the 
     piano in Share the Fun. She presented a written and visual 
     display of items used throughout her surgeries and treatment. 
     For this she was awarded an Outstanding Junior Achievement 
     Ribbon.
       Emily took an active part in Relay for Life in her county. 
     She served as Junior Chairperson, giving a speech the night 
     of the event. She enlisted the help of her classmates and 
     teachers to help publicize events.
       As only a child can, Emily leaned on her faith to see her 
     through. Church was important to Emily. She took communion 
     instruction, participated in youth group activities, sang and 
     provided special music for worship. She willingly served 
     church dinners. She helped to organize a basketball team and 
     enlisted a neighbor to be their coach. This team won the Good 
     Sportsmanship trophy.
       Emily maintained a positive and determined attitude. When 
     traditional treatments became ineffective, she willingly 
     tried non-traditional methods. She clung to the hope that she 
     would again be as normal as the other kids. While the disease 
     took her life on March 15, 1999, it could not crush her 
     spirit. It was that very same spirit that caused her to fight 
     to the very end.
       Emily fought this illness for three long years, showing 
     that with strength, determination, and courage, life is to be 
     lived. Emily strongly believed the scripture verses that say, 
     ``Let the children come to me for such is the kingdom of 
     God,'' and ``A Child Shall Lead.'' Let us capture the essence 
     of Emily's spirit, follow her lead, and make a difference.
                                  ____


In Memory and Celebration of the Life of Emily Ann Jordt, February 15, 
                          1987-March 15, 1999

       Emily's life is meant to be more than just one more sad 
     account of how a child, a person, died from cancer. It is 
     meant to make us uncomfortable. It is meant to make us weep. 
     Then, it is meant to make us determined to act--to do 
     something.
       Finding a cure for cancer is a very difficult but not 
     impossible task. What is needed to do that? An open mind. 
     When we keep our minds open, ideas and possibilities can 
     flow. One of Emily's favorite movies as a young child was 
     Cinderella. In that movie we hear the line, ``Impossible 
     things are happening every day.''
       As lawmakers, do not tie the hands of researchers because 
     dollars are limited. Do not tie the hands of researchers from 
     exploring avenues that may be out of the ordinary.
       Emily did not care about the insurance companies and the 
     drug companies playing the games that they play to control 
     what happens to people's lives. What she cared about was 
     playing soccer, learning, sharing her talents, having 
     birthday parties, being a friend, all the things that 
     children do best.
       We must listen to her story with renewed commitment of why 
     most of you were elected, to make a difference.
       Emily continues to make a difference each time her story is 
     told. Her video continues to play at fundraisers for 
     Children's Miracle Network. Each time ``Em's Environmental 
     Mobile Lab'' (that was purchased through memorials and a 
     grant) is taken on site to provide hands on learning for the 
     students at Akron-Westfield Community School, Emily continues 
     to make a difference. When the CEO of the hospital where 
     Emily spent so much times says, ``I am a different person 
     because of what Emily has taught me and that will make me a 
     better CEO,'' you know that Emily has truly made a 
     difference!
       Have you made that kind of difference? Emily sacrificed her 
     life so that we, you and I, might see more clearly what our 
     job is.
       A phrase that Emily and her family adopted as their motto 
     is, ``We can do this together.'' We as her family and friends 
     are making a difference by addressing you as our 
     representatives. Now, It is your chance to make a difference, 
     to vote for additional funding for cancer research, and to 
     clear the way for the impossible to happen.
       ``Let us capture the essence of Emily's spirit, follow her 
     lead, and make a difference.''
     Debra L. Jordt.
     William G. Jordt.
     Betty V. Jordt.

                          ____________________