[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 153 (Thursday, September 25, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2006]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    RECOGNIZING THE HONORABLE DEBORAH PRYCE ON THE OCCASION OF HER 
                               RETIREMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JO BONNER

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 25, 2008

  Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the outstanding 
career of Congresswoman Deborah Pryce for her service to the people of 
Ohio and the United States House of Representatives. Congresswoman 
Pryce has represented the 15th Congressional District of the State of 
Ohio for 16 years.
  Deborah was elected to Congress in 1993 after serving as a Franklin 
County Municipal Court Judge and city prosecutor. She quickly made 
history as she rose to leadership positions in the House. Her election 
to House Republican conference chairman, the number four position in 
leadership, made Deborah the highest-ranking woman ever to serve in the 
House Republican leadership. She also served as conference vice-chair 
in 2000 and was elected president of her freshman class. Deborah has 
also served as a deputy whip since 1996.
  A hallmark of Deborah's term in office has been her support for 
children and families. She has worked tirelessly to make adoption more 
affordable and has been a leader in reforming the welfare system.
  Deborah has also endured unimaginable loss. In 1999, her nine year 
old daughter, Caroline, died of cancer. In the wake of her daughter's 
death, she and her ex-husband founded Hope Street Kids, a program to 
support cancer research.
  In the 109th Congress, Deborah introduced legislation to provide 
grants to promote pain management and end-of-life care for children 
with life threatening conditions. She is also the co-founder of the 
House Cancer Caucus.
  Deborah's tireless work on behalf of children living with cancer has 
not gone unnoticed. In 2006, she was the recipient of the American 
Cancer Society's highest honor, the Distinguished Advocacy Award.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing a 
dedicated leader and friend to many in this body. I know her family, 
her daughter, Mia, and her many friends and colleagues join me in 
praising her accomplishments and extending thanks for her service over 
the years on behalf of the State of Ohio and the United States of 
America.
  Deborah will surely enjoy the well-deserved time she now has to spend 
with her family and loved ones. I wish her the best of luck in all her 
future endeavors.

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