[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 74 (Wednesday, June 14, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E996]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING ERICA VASQUEZ

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. HEATHER WILSON

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 14, 2000

  Mrs. WILSON. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to support the efforts of 
Erica Vasquez to raise funds for the Leukemia Society of America by 
running a marathon in Walt Disney World. She represented a 7-year-old 
boy, Adam Valencia, who has acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Erica was the 
youngest runner on the Team in Training Desert Mountain States Chapter, 
training for five months and raising money to compete. She even created 
her own donation forms and sent them out to businesses, doctors, 
lawyers, friends, and family members. Though they could not run with 
her, she gave them an important opportunity to do their part.
  Sadly, Erica was inspired to help others because of a personal loss: 
in one year, she lost two cousins and an aunt to cancer. This tragedy 
inspired her to fight the disease any way she could. Her immediate goal 
is to increase awareness about Leukemia. Until a cure is found, people 
like Erica will continue to fight in whatever way they can, including 
increasing education about cancer and fundraising for treatment.
  Please join me in celebrating the generous heart of Erica Vasquez, a 
young woman who fights to bring awareness about a disheartening disease 
to the world. May her resilient spirit of giving encourage to us all to 
give of ourselves to save lives.

                          ____________________