[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 16 (Tuesday, February 15, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E235]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING MICHELLE GIANNETTA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 15, 2005

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Michelle Giannetta 
of Fresno, CA upon receiving the Champion of Hearts Award from the 
American Heart Association. Mrs. Giannetta will be presented with the 
Champion of Hearts A ward at the American Heart Association's Go Red 
for Women Luncheon on Thursday, February 17th, 2005 in Fresno, CA.
  Michelle Giannetta is a true inspiration to us all. As an active 
volunteer for her local American Heart Association chapter, Michelle 
has offered her personal experience to help others recognize the risk 
of heart disease.
  Young and athletic, Michelle received the shock of her life when she 
discovered she suffered from a rare heart condition. At the age of 28, 
Michelle endured a near fatal heart attack when the artery into her 
heart spontaneously dissected. It is the same rare heart condition that 
took the life of actor John Ritter.
  After undergoing a grueling triple bypass operation, she remained 
under close watch in an intensive care unit, surviving with the aid of 
a balloon pump. Young and in peak physical condition, she realized that 
many, especially young women, need to understand the threat of heart 
disease.
  Since then, Michelle has worked tirelessly to increase awareness of 
heart disease throughout her community. She serves on numerous 
committees of her local American Heart Association chapter and has 
helped to organize events, such as the Fresno Heart Walk, an offshoot 
of the American Heart Association's National Heart Walk, an event that 
occurs each year in some 600 cities and has raised more than $406 
million for research and educational programs. In addition, Michelle is 
a local spokeswoman for the American Heart Association's Go Red for 
Women campaign launched in February 2004.
  In addition to her volunteer efforts, Michelle Giannetta continues to 
help others by serving in my Fresno congressional district office as a 
Staff Assistant, specializing in immigration matters.
  Michelle, together with her husband Bret, have two sons, Alex and 
Matthew.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Michelle Giannetta on the occasion 
of receiving the American Heart Association's Champions of Heart Award. 
I urge my colleagues to join me in wishing Michelle many more years of 
continued success.

                          ____________________