[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 94 (Monday, June 9, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1171]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING THE LIFE AND SERVICE OF BRIAN EMERICK

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. VIRGINIA FOXX

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, June 9, 2008

  Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, one of my constituents Brian Emerick, paid 
me a visit last year to relate the story of his fight against ALS, or 
Lou Gehrig's disease. He left me with these words, ``Future generations 
must not face this disease with no known cause or cure. For the Emerick 
family, the challenge to strike out Lou Gehrig's disease comes with the 
highest imaginable significance--to honor the lives of past generations 
who died of the disease like my father, to improve the well-being of 
individuals currently living with the disease like myself, and to 
protect the health of future generations, like my children.''
  On Easter Sunday of this year, Brian finished his courageous battle 
with ALS with the same dignity with which he lived his entire life. It 
is his life that we are here to honor and his commitment to finding a 
cure for this disease that we are here to remember and pursue. Brian's 
story represents great hope that helps move us toward action to defeat 
ALS.
  Brian's life was not and can not be defined solely by his courageous 
fight against ALS, because he lived a full life that touched many 
before and after his diagnoses. Brian worked his way through school and 
college and later flew helicopters in the U.S. Army. He then went on to 
become a respected worker and leader at Rock-Tenn Paper Corporation. 
Brian had a well-known work ethic and never missed a day of work 
because of sickness. He continued working after his diagnosis and even 
when he visited the ALS clinic at Baptist Hospital he would tell 
doctors, ``I really don't get sick, I'm actually as healthy as anyone 
could be if it weren't for this disease that keeps slowing me down.''
  The man who was a loving husband was also an amazing father. The man 
who was a tireless worker was also loved and honored in his work, his 
community and his church. And finally, that man who did all of those 
wonderful things, was also the man who fought ALS with courage for the 
past 3 years.
  Brian, who never liked to take so much as a Tylenol, eventually took 
27 pills a day and participated in five different clinical drug studies 
to help fight that deadly disease. Brian, who tried never to ask people 
for help unless he absolutely needed it, raised more than $25,000 in 
the last 2 years on ALS walks with his family and friends. Brian, who 
had never before been in a congressional meeting, tirelessly walked the 
halls of Congress to advocate on behalf of those suffering with this 
deadly disease.
  Brian ended his remarkable life journey and began a final journey 
when he finished his battle with ALS on Easter Sunday of this year. But 
Brian would have reminded us today that the battle to defeat ALS is 
still ongoing. Brian's life story reminds us what it means to live each 
day with love and in pursuit of ideals that truly matter. We honor 
Brian's life by facing the challenge to defeat ALS, with honesty and 
commitment to action that improves the lives of others.

                          ____________________