[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 71 (Tuesday, June 4, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S4963]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       IN MEMORY OF SHARON MONSKY

 Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I would like to take this moment to 
reflect on the life of Sharon Monsky. I feel proud and fortunate to 
have known Sharon, who was a wonderfully effective advocate for those 
who suffer from scleroderma. Scleroderma is an autoimmune disease that 
affects primarily women.
  As a strong supporter of her important mission, I was profoundly 
saddened to learn that, at the age of 48, Sharon Monsky died of 
complications from scleroderma on May 11 in Santa Barbara, CA. Her 
strong passion for finding a cure for scleroderma has helped raise 
awareness and has made a tremendous impact on the lives of many of 
those living with this devastating disease.
  Born in Omaha, NE, Sharon Monsky was a nationally ranked figure 
skater during her teenage years, and later graduated at the top of her 
class from Pitzer College in Claremont. After earning a BA in 
economics, she began a career at McKinsey & Co., an international 
management-consulting firm in San Francisco, and received an MBA from 
Stanford University. However, her career took a different path when 
Monsky developed scleroderma in 1981.
  Determined to win her battle with scleroderma and help others 
suffering from the disease, Sharon Monsky decided to devote her life to 
finding a cure. In 1986, she found the Scleroderma Research Foundation, 
which has raised more than $14 million and funds two research centers: 
the San Francisco Bay Area Scleroderma Center at the University of 
California at San Francisco and the East Coast Scleroderma Research 
Center at John Hopkins University. Monsky received many awards for her 
work, including Research America's National Volunteer Advocacy Award, 
the America's Award and the American Medical Association's 
International Health and Medical Film Award.
  Sharon Monsky's tragic death represents a great loss for California 
and the Nation. She served as a powerful voice for those stricken with 
scleroderma, and will be deeply missed by me and by all those who were 
privileged to have known her. Although Sharon Monsky ultimately lost 
her battle with this disease, she has helped make it possible to 
prevail against this disease. I will never forget her moving words, 
compassionate heart and enduring strength. Her spirit will continue to 
inspire us all for generations to come.
  I owe her a great debt for involving me in the fight against 
scleroderma. My heart goes out to her beautiful family.

                          ____________________