[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 74 (Monday, June 12, 2006)]
[House]
[Pages H3742-H3743]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF CONGRESS WITH RESPECT TO HONORING THE GOALS AND 
                  IDEALS OF ALEX'S LEMONADE STAND DAYS

  Mr. GERLACH. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res 368) expressing the sense of the 
Congress with respect to honoring the goals and ideals of Alex's 
Lemonade Stand Days, June 9 through 11, 2006.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                            H. Con Res. 368

       Whereas Alex's Lemonade Stand grew out of the front yard 
     lemonade stand started by Alexandra ``Alex'' Scott, a 
     pediatric cancer patient;
       Whereas in 2000, at the age of four, Alex opened her first 
     annual lemonade stand in hopes of raising money for childhood 
     cancer causes, specifically research for a cure;
       Whereas after Alex's untimely death at the age of eight in 
     August of 2004, her parents established the Alex's Lemonade 
     Stand Foundation in her memory and has raised almost 
     $5,000,000 to date;
       Whereas Alex's Lemonade Stand as a fundraiser brings 
     charitable giving to communities and neighborhoods, making 
     donating simple and rewarding for everyone;
       Whereas Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation has donated 
     millions of dollars to pediatric cancer care centers across 
     the country and the Foundation works intensively with 
     research and treatment facilities nationwide to identify 
     specific ways in which the Foundation can make a difference 
     for children who need new advances in cancer treatments;
       Whereas adults and children alike have been inspired by 
     Alex's innovative idea and, since 2000, 1000 Alex's Lemonade 
     Stands have been organized by a diverse group of devoted 
     volunteers in front yards, schools, law firms, supermarkets, 
     malls, and churches; and
       Whereas the Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation has designated 
     the second weekend in June as the Lemonade Stand Days, the 
     goal of which is to create awareness and raise funds for 
     childhood cancer research: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), That Congress--
       (1) honors the goals and ideals of Lemonade Stand Days;
       (2) honors Alexandra ``Alex'' Scott for her hard work and 
     dedication to helping others with childhood cancer;
       (3) honors Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation as a unique 
     organization that has evolved from a young cancer patient's 
     front yard lemonade stand to a nationwide fundraising 
     movement for childhood cancer;
       (4) commends the Foundation's fundraising efforts for 
     childhood cancer causes and research into new cures and 
     treatments for childhood cancer;
       (5) honors the Foundation's work in encouraging and 
     educating the public on childhood cancer issues and helping 
     individuals start their own lemonade stands; and
       (6) commends the Foundation's help in expediting the 
     process of finding new cures for childhood cancer.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Gerlach) and the gentleman from California (Mr. 
Lantos) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Pennsylvania.

                              {time}  1600


                             General Leave

  Mr. GERLACH. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their 
remarks on this legislation and to insert extraneous material on the 
bill.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. GERLACH. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the short but incredibly 
meaningful life of my constituent, Alexandra Scott. Alex, as she was 
known, was an extraordinary young girl who possessed ideas and a vision 
far beyond her years. Shortly before Alex's first birthday, she was 
diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a common and aggressive childhood cancer. 
Alex fought valiantly against her disease, and at the age of 4, she 
came up with the idea to set up a lemonade stand to raise money to help 
her doctors find a cure for other children with cancer. The idea was 
put into action by Alex and her older brother, Patrick, when they set 
up the first ``Alex's Lemonade Stand for Childhood Cancer'' on their 
front lawn in July of 2000.
  For the next 4 years, despite her deteriorating health, Alex 
continued to hold her annual lemonade stands to raise money to help 
other children with pediatric cancer. Her drive and enthusiasm did not 
go unnoticed, as she inspired many to follow her example. Since Alex's 
first lemonade stand in 2000, thousands of other lemonade stands have 
been established across the country by children, schools, businesses 
and community organizations, all to benefit Alex's inspired cause. As 
of May 2006, her national campaign has raised over $6 million for 
childhood cancer research.
  In recognition of her good work, Alex was honored with numerous 
awards, including the Good Housekeeping Hero for Health Award, the 
Philadelphia 76ers Hometown Hero Award in 2002 and 2003, the 
Philadelphia Foundation's Philanthropist of the Year Award for 2003, 
the Association for Fundraising Professionals Youth in Philanthropy 
Award in 2004, a Kellogg's Child Development Award in 2004, and a Volvo 
for Life Award in 2003.
  Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation has also received the PPRA Gold 
Medal Award for 2005, the 2006 Ben Appelbaum Advocate for Youth Award, 
and the Philadelphia Sports Writers Humanitarian Award for 2005.
  During the last months of Alex's life, Chuck Zacney, the owner of the 
racing horse Afleet Alex, saw a story about Alex and her determination 
to raise money to help children with pediatric cancer. Mr. Zacney first 
made a donation on his own and then decided he wanted to donate a 
portion of Afleet Alex's winnings to the foundation.

[[Page H3743]]

  Not only did a portion of Afleet Alex's winnings go to fight 
childhood cancer, but lemonade stands were set up at two of the most 
prestigious horse racing events in the country, the Kentucky Derby and 
the Preakness.
  On August 1, 2004, Alex died peacefully at the age of 8 after 
battling cancer for most of her life. Alex's spirited determination 
raised awareness and money for all childhood cancers while she bravely 
fought her own deadly battle. Alex's parents, Jay and Liz Scott, 
established the Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation in her memory and have 
worked to create awareness and raise funds for childhood cancer 
research.
  Each year the foundation holds ``Alex's Lemonade Stand Days'' during 
the second weekend in June where lemonade stands are set up all across 
the country, all with one single goal, to raise money to help children 
with childhood cancer and to honor the memory of Alex. During the 
national ``Alex's Lemonade Stand Days'' there are nearly 500 separate 
stands erected across the country. This kind of support speaks volumes 
about the character, the vision and the inspiration of this young girl.
  Mr. Speaker, it is a privilege to stand before you today to support 
House Concurrent Resolution 368, which honors the goals and ideals of 
this annual event, and, most importantly, honors the drive, 
determination and selflessness of this tremendous young lady, Alex 
Scott.
  I urge all of my colleagues to support House Concurrent Resolution 
368.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, we on the Democratic side are pleased to 
support this legislation, with great admiration for a young lady.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. GERLACH. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Fitzpatrick).
  Mr. FITZPATRICK of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with my 
colleagues to honor the memory of a brave little girl and the cause she 
started, to find a cure for childhood cancer. Six years ago, Alexandra 
Scott opened her first lemonade stand to help stop the spread of 
childhood and pediatric cancer. She was only 4 years old. Although 
herself stricken with the disease, Alex held annual lemonade stands 
every year to raise money for cancer research, inspiring thousands of 
other Americans to follow suit.
  As the father of six young children, I can only imagine the pain that 
would come with having one of your young children diagnosed with 
cancer. I cannot fathom the thought of facing such a tremendous fight 
for the child's future. However, where many adults would falter under 
the odds, Alexandra found immeasurable strength, perhaps only the 
strength that a child could muster, to turn something negative into 
something else entirely, hope.
  Alexandra thought not only of herself, but of all the other children 
in the world experiencing the same illness. Her decision to start her 
own lemonade stands demonstrates the purity of her spirit, a spirit 
that made her cause a national phenomenon.
  I want to thank Congressman Gerlach for introducing this legislation 
to honor Alexandra and the good work she started to defeat childhood 
cancer. Her story is a testament that everyone can do their part to 
change the world.
  Mr. GERLACH. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time and 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Pearce). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Gerlach) that the House 
suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 
368.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the concurrent resolution was 
agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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