[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 176 (Wednesday, November 19, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S10613]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      THE LIFE OF DR. RANDY PAUSCH

  Mr. CASEY. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the life of Dr. Randy 
Pausch, who died this past July 25 from pancreatic cancer. Dr. Pausch 
was a rare hero who rose above his illness and fought to the end for 
increased public awareness of this devastating illness. In doing so, 
Dr. Pausch captured the attention of the country, inspiring people with 
his extraordinary grace, courage, and love of life.
  Dr. Pausch was a professor at Carnegie Mellon University in 
Pittsburgh, in my home State of Pennsylvania. He was an accomplished 
researcher and dedicated teacher.
  Many people know what Randy did because of his famous ``Last 
Lecture,'' which he delivered at Carnegie Mellon in September of last 
year. The video of the lecture became an inspirational phenomenon on 
the Internet. Literally millions of Americans wrote and blogged about 
the transformational impact Dr. Pausch's lecture had upon them and 
their lives. Recently, ``The Last Lecture'' was turned into a best-
selling book.
  The lessons from Dr. Pausch that have inspired so many people are 
simple, but ones we all too easily can forget. He reminds us about 
achieving childhood dreams and maintaining a sense of childhood wonder. 
He also encourages his listeners to work hard, tell the truth, be 
earnest, help others, apologize for mistakes, listen to advice, and 
never, ever give up. He helps us remember how important it is to simply 
enjoy life and that each day is a gift.
  As his disease progressed, Dr. Pausch was also an impassioned 
advocate for pancreatic cancer research. He testified before the House 
Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and 
Education, saying:

       We don't have advocates for this disease because they don't 
     live long enough. We don't have a Michael J. Fox because 
     people die too fast. Pancreatic cancer is absolutely 
     ruthless. Part of my job is to put a face on the disease.

  So said Dr. Pausch so poignantly about this disease, because indeed 
pancreatic cancer is ruthless. It is the fourth leading cause of cancer 
death in the United States of America. Seventy-five percent of 
pancreatic cancer patients die within 1 year of diagnosis. The 5-year 
survival rate is barely 5 percent. The survival rate for pancreatic 
cancer today is the same as it was 30 years ago.
  Randy was only 45 when he died of pancreatic cancer on July 25 of 
this year. He left behind his wife Jai and their three children, Dylan, 
Logan, and Chloe.
  Dr. Randy Pausch lived life to the fullest in every sense of that 
word, in every sense of that phrase. He was a loving husband and 
father, a dedicated educator, and an impassioned advocate. While his 
life was cut short by pancreatic cancer, his legacy for living is one 
we should all cherish. I ask my Senate colleagues to join me in 
commemorating the life of Dr. Pausch with the resolution that I and 
others have introduced. This resolution calls upon communities across 
this country to recognize November as National Pancreatic Cancer 
Awareness Month, and urges greater public awareness and resources for 
prevention, early detection, and treatment of this disease.
  Let us, with this resolution, recognize the extraordinary gift that 
Dr. Pausch's life was to humanity and strive to make progress with this 
deadly, ruthless disease.
  I commend Senator Clinton for her leadership on this issue and for 
introducing this resolution. I am joined as a cosponsor by my colleague 
from Pennsylvania, Senator Specter. For their help, we are greatly 
appreciative.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Maine is recognized.

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