[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 105 (Monday, July 29, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1422]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING ANDREA FOX

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. LYNN C. WOOLSEY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 26, 2002

  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Andrea Fox of San 
Rafael, California, a talented professional planner, community 
volunteer, athlete, and breast cancer activist and an inspiration to 
many.
  Andrea Fox lost her tenacious battle against breast cancer on July 2, 
at the age of 35, leaving a legacy of extraordinary courage and 
compassion.
  A beautiful young woman with incredible grace and dignity, ``Annie'' 
Fox was dedicated to finding a cure for breast cancer. Diagnosed with a 
particularly aggressive cancer in 1998, the former triathlete, who ate 
organically and exercised regularly, had none of the traditional risk 
factors for cancer. Undergoing a lumpectomy, she continued her athletic 
training and the stage IV cancer seemed to disappear. But, in April 
2000, cancer came back and, pursuing every treatment she could find, 
including non-western, untraditional methods, Annie appeared to have 
beaten it back again.
  Andrea focused her considerable energies on increasing public 
awareness and getting national attention for the serious epidemic of 
breast cancer in Marin County, joining the board of Marin Breast Cancer 
Watch. ``Annie was our angel,'' said Board President Roni Peskin 
Mentzer.
  Whether lobbying in Sacramento for breast cancer research or 
educating the community about the dangerously high rates of cancer in 
Marin, Annie made a difference, she made history. Never daunted, she 
participated in athletic events such as the renowned Dipsea Race and 
the Human Race, and was organizing new events, like the July 20, 2002 
foot race from Mill Valley to the Mountain Theater on Mt. Tamalpais to 
increase public knowledge and raise much needed funds for research.
  In October 2001, only two months after her engagement to longtime 
partner and soul mate, Chris Stewart, the cancer reappeared and Annie 
mounted still another heroic campaign. Not one to seek sympathy, she 
was driven to passionately lead the fight for all women to find a cause 
to this insidious disease. Despite increasing pain, she continued her 
work at the Marin Civic Center. ``Annie was a special person . . .'', 
Stewart said, ``bringing a wonderful happiness to all those who knew 
her. . . . She was passionate about her work and about preserving the 
environment.''
  A woman of uncommon positive spirit, Andrea Fox lost her courageous 
battle with breast cancer surrounded by friends and family, leaving her 
devoted fiance, mother, brother, and a grieving community.
  We are all more fortunate to have been graced by the presence of 
Andrea Fox, her beauty, wisdom and strength. Her love, resolve and 
remarkable will are the cornerstones of the legacy of courage she has 
left so that we might continue the fight. While Annie is gone, the 
spirit of this ``angel'' of our community will forever be with us.

                          ____________________