[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 46 (Tuesday, March 17, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E685]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING MILCA GUTIERREZ

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 17, 2009

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Milca 
Gutierrez upon being named as the Children's Miracle Network's 
``California Champion Across America'' for 2009. Miss Gutierrez will be 
honored on Tuesday, March 17, 2009 at Children's Hospital Central 
California at an event to kick off the local and national public 
awareness program.
  Milca Gutierrez, of Fresno, California, was diagnosed when she was 
four months old with a rare disorder called ontogenesis imperfecta, 
commonly known as brittle bone disease. This rare disorder affects the 
connective tissue and causes bones to break easily and without any 
apparent reason. At the age of eleven, Miss Gutierrez has been seen at 
Children's Hospital Central California over 180 times and has undergone 
over ten operations; she remains positive with her motto ``It's just a 
bone.''
  Miss Gutierrez is a constant source of brightness and support, 
whether to herself or others, she has a unique ability to always help 
those around her. Once a year she and her family travel to their native 
hometown in Mexico to provide clothes, toys and stuffed animals to 
families in need. She is able to live an active and full life; she 
loves swimming, math and dreams of becoming a doctor. Her unique 
situation has placed her in a position to advocate for children's 
hospitals across the nation, serve as a ``Champion'' for the State of 
California and act as an ambassador for the seventeen million children 
who are treated at children's hospitals every year. The Children's 
Miracle Network sponsors a variety of events to help raise money for 
children's hospitals; including the Champions Across America 
initiative, where one child from each state is selected to serve as a 
champion to help highlight the importance of a children's hospitals. 
Miss Gutierrez, along with her fellow champions, and her family will 
travel to Walt Disney World to participate in the Children's Miracle 
Network Celebration and to Washington, D.C. to highlight the vital work 
of children's hospitals.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Milca 
Gutierrez upon her achievements and strength. I invite my colleagues to 
join me in wishing Miss Gutierrez many years of happiness and success.

                          ____________________