[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 108 (Thursday, August 1, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7867-S7868]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       IN MEMORIAM: DEORA BODLEY

  Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I would like to take this opportunity to 
share with the Senate the memory of one of my young constituents, Deora 
Bodley, who lost her life on September 11, 2001. Ms. Bodley was a 20-
year-old college student when the flight she was on, United Airlines 
Flight 93, was hijacked by terrorists. As we all know, that plane 
crashed in a Pennsylvania field, killing everyone on board.
  Ms. Bodley grew up in San Diego, CA. As a high school student, she 
visited local high schools to discuss HIV/AIDS with her peers. She 
volunteered with the Special Olympics and a local animal shelter. Chris 
Schuck, her English teacher at La Jolla Country Day School, recalls 
``Deora was always thinking big and going after big game.''
  At the time of her death, Ms. Bodley was studying psychology at Santa 
Clara University. She coordinated volunteers in a literacy program for 
elementary school students. Kathy Almazol, principal at St. Clare 
Catholic Elementary, recalls Ms. Bodley had ``a phenomenal ability to 
work with people, including the children she read to, her peer 
volunteers, the school administrators and teachers. We have 68 kids who 
had a personal association with Deora.''
  In the words of her mother, Deborah Borza, ``Deora has always been 
about peace.'' At the tender age of 11 years, Deora wrote in her 
journal, ``People ask who, what, where, when, why, how. I ask peace.'' 
A warm and generous person, Deora was a gifted student and a wonderful 
friend. Wherever she went, her light shined brightly.
  Deora's father, Derrill Bodley, of Stockton, CA, feels her life was 
about ``getting along'' and sharing a message of peace. Her 11-year-old 
sister Murial recalls Deora taught her many things and says, ``Most of 
all she taught me to be kind to other people and animals. I cherish the 
memories of my sister and

[[Page S7868]]

plan to work hard in school and in everything I do so she can be proud 
of me like I was of her.''
  None of us is untouched by the terror of September 11, and many 
Californians were part of each tragic moment of that tragic day. Some 
were trapped in the World Trade Center Towers. Some were at work in the 
Pentagon. And the fates of some were sealed as they boarded planes 
bound for San Francisco or Los Angeles.
  I offer today this tribute to one of the 51 Californians who perished 
on that awful morning. I want to assure the family of Deora Bodley, and 
the families of all the victims, that their fathers and mothers, sons 
and daughters, aunts, uncles, brothers and sisters will not be 
forgotten.

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