[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 87 (Thursday, June 29, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1327]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING THE RIDE FOR LORRAINE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. NITA M. LOWEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 29, 2006

  Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
accomplishments of the Ride for Lorraine, a charity bike ride to 
benefit the National Transplant Assistance Fund (NTAF) and raise 
awareness for stem cell research.
  The Ride for Lorraine, a five-day bike ride beginning in Hartsdale, 
New York, honors Lorraine Valentini, a former High School English 
Literature teacher, volunteer firefighter, and U.S. Masters Gold Medal 
Cyclist. Lorraine's life was tragically altered in May 2005 when the 
spinal cord injuries she suffered in a bike accident left her paralyzed 
below the neck.
  During the five-day trip, Lorraine's family, friends and supporters 
will stop at the Dana and Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation in New 
Jersey, the Kennedy Krieger Institute in Maryland, and finally here at 
the Capitol Building. I encourage all of my colleagues to listen to 
their message that stem cell research can bring cures and therapies for 
many devastating and debilitating conditions.
  These dedicated, passionate participants are working hard to not only 
raise awareness for stem cell research, but to raise money for 
Lorraine's daily care and rehabilitation while directing donations to 
the NTAF to aid other transplant and catastrophic injury patients.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring the efforts 
of teamLorraine.org and wishing the Ride for Lorraine participants 
luck.

                          ____________________