[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 63 (Wednesday, April 30, 2003)]
[House]
[Page H3457]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  ON THE DEATH OF DR. ELIZABETH KARNES

  (Mr. TERRY asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. TERRY. Mr. Speaker, I come to the floor today with a heavy heart. 
I am here to express the sadness and loss all Nebraskans feel at the 
passing of a selfless leader and volunteer, Dr. Liz Karnes.
  Dr. Karnes embodied the best values of our State. Her good deeds and 
commitment to public service are greatly admired. She is well known for 
her 17 years of service on the District 66 School Board in Omaha and 
her work as a member of the Omaha Airport Authority, and her national 
policy work on behalf of children and schools.
  But she is most known and committed to her finest work, raising her 
four daughters.
  A 1967 graduate of Westside herself, Karnes went on to earn her 
doctoral degree in education administration. Along the way she 
graduated magna cum laude from the University of Nebraska, where she 
met her future husband, Dave Karnes. When Senator Karnes was appointed 
a U.S. Senator, Dr. Karnes accompanied her husband to Washington and 
worked as a volunteer assistant to First Lady Barbara Bush to advocate 
literacy.

                              {time}  1015

  In March 1991, Dr. Karnes was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She 
began a courageous battle against the disease and she would survive. 
But in 2001 she developed kidney cancer which led to the complications 
that claimed her life late last week.
  Dr. Karnes heroically fought cancer and its complications for 12 
years. Her faith in God and the loving support of her family, friends, 
and colleagues kept her spirits strong, but Dr. Karnes was the real 
fighter. She continued to attend meetings and family events throughout 
her ordeal. She did not let her cancer come between her and her family, 
her work or her advocacy for the issues she believed in. Today we must 
redefine our definition of the word ``hero.'' Our heros are closer to 
us. They are visible. They are walking among us. Dr. Karnes is such a 
hero.

                          ____________________