[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 91 (Wednesday, June 27, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S6988]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      REMEMBERING KAREN KITZMILLER

 Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I rise today to remember a very 
special Vermonter, and a good friend, Karen Kitzmiller. Karen, at the 
young age of 53, lost her long battle with breast cancer on May 20 of 
this year. In East Montpelier the following Saturday, I joined hundreds 
of family, friends, colleagues, and admirers who gathered together to 
share their memories of Karen, and to honor her life.
  For the past 11 years Karen Kitzmiller served as Montpelier's 
Democratic State representative in the Vermont Legislature. Her 
legislative achievements were many, but most outstanding was her work 
on the House Health and Welfare Committee. Karen was a determined 
advocate and principled leader on behalf of the health and well-being 
of Vermonters. She fought to prevent tobacco companies from targeting 
children with advertisements designed to encourage youth smoking. To 
help patients appeal coverage denials by health maintenance 
organizations, Karen dedicated her efforts to the establishment of 
Vermont's health care ombudsman. She devoted considerable energies to 
the provision of health care coverage for the uninsured. This spring, 
after almost four years of effort, she witnessed the Governor sign 
legislation to ensure that uninsured patients who volunteer to 
participate in cancer treatment clinical trials are provided with 
health care coverage.
  Karen was diagnosed with cancer more than four years ago, and yet 
through it all, she did not give up her work on behalf of Vermonters. 
She continued to serve in the Legislature, she leant her experience as 
a cancer survivor in efforts to promote awareness about the importance 
of support groups, and she helped to establish the annual Breast Cancer 
Conference in Burlington. These are just a few of the lasting 
contributions that will serve as a tribute to Karen's life for years to 
come.
  Karen leaves behind a loving family--her husband, Warren, and two 
daughters, Amy and Carrie. Amy is a student at the University of 
Virginia, studying government and women's studies, and Carrie is a 
student at the University of Pennsylvania studying at the School of 
Arts and Sciences. I had the privilege of sponsoring Amy as a Senate 
Page in 1996 and as an intern in my Montpelier office in the summer of 
2000. They are both bright young women. I know their mother was very 
proud of them both. Although their loss is great, the Kitzmillers can 
take some small comfort in knowing how special Karen was to so many 
people. Her strength, her courage, and her compassion served as 
inspiration to all those who were fortunate enough to come in contact 
with her. She will be missed by all.

                          ____________________