[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 12 (Wednesday, February 4, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E110]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




THANKING COURTNEY AND CHLOE SMITH FOR REPRESENTING LOUISIANA DURING THE 
                 CHILDREN'S MIRACLE NETWORK CELEBRATION

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DAVID VITTER

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 4, 2004

  Mr. VITTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize 3-year-old twins, 
Courtney and Chloe Smith, of Alexandria, Louisiana. Courtney and Chloe 
have been selected to serve as ambassadors for the millions of kids 
treated this year at children's hospitals across the United States.
  Born in March 2000, Courtney and Chloe are the smallest twins at 
birth ever to survive in the U.S. For over 3 months, they fought for 
their lives in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at CHRISTUS St. Francis 
Cabrini Hospital. Due to their miraculous show of strength, they will 
serve as representatives for Foresters Champions Across America, a 
national Children's Miracle Network program.
  As representatives of Louisiana, Courtney and Chloe will visit 
Capitol Hill and the White House to meet with some of our Nation's 
leaders. They will also travel to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida 
to participate in the taping of the Children's Miracle Network 
celebration.
  As the father of twin girls, I am able to comprehend the magnitude of 
such a situation. Children are a gift, and any parent is twice as happy 
when two special children are brought into the world at one time.
  I come to the floor of the House of Representatives today to 
personally commend, honor and thank Courtney and Chloe Smith for taking 
on the responsibility of representing Louisiana during such an 
important and meaningful event. It is rare that we as Members of the 
U.S. Congress are able to recognize people that are so young and yet so 
fierce in their fight for life. Courtney and Chloe can truly attest to 
the life-saving abilities and importance of the Children's Miracle 
Network. This nation-wide system of hospitals deserves tremendous 
acknowledgement and appreciation for all the assistance they bring to 
families such as the Smiths.
  Again, thank you to Courtney and Chloe Smith for so honorably 
representing the state of Louisiana.

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