[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 60 (Thursday, May 5, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E811]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING MR. DENNIS KAHN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BRIAN HIGGINS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 5, 2011

  Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate Dennis Kahn, 
the 2011 Honoree for the American Cancer Society's Cuisine for the Cure 
Event, for his struggle in overcoming cancer and his remarkable 
contributions to the community I serve in Western New York.
  Dennis, a highly regarded attorney, has dedicated his life to 
representing those facing significant challenges in their own lives and 
professions. Also a loving and devoted husband to Carrie and father to 
Max, Dennis exemplifies the strong values that make communities like 
Buffalo great.
  Yet nothing could quite prepare Dennis for the challenge he faced in 
the fall of 2009, when he found out that he had stage 4 cancer in his 
parotid gland. Like so many other cancer patients, Dennis's diagnosis 
hit him like a ton of bricks. And after enduring surgeries and an 
aggressive radiation and chemotherapy regimen, we are lucky to have him 
here with us today to share his story and the lessons he has learned 
from it.
  Like many other cancer survivors and their families, Dennis wants to 
give back and help others like him. The struggles of people with cancer 
are unique--not knowing whether your body is actively growing cells 
that will harm you can be sheer terror. To handle this amid all of 
life's normal challenges is overwhelming. Dennis's commitment to help 
other patients and survivors is notable, making him worthy of being 
honored at this year's Cuisine for a Cure event.
  We need more advocates like Dennis to raise awareness about cancer in 
our communities. Let his story be a lesson to us, to inspire us, and to 
continue to fight to alleviate suffering due to cancer in our lifetime. 
I often say that cancer research is a continuum, and it needs to be 
maintained, and that we can't just stop and start. Advocates like 
Dennis remind us of this promise.

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