[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 58 (Thursday, April 25, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2991-S2992]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             NATIONAL PEDIATRIC BRAIN CANCER AWARENESS DAY

  Mrs. FISCHER. Mr. President, I rise today in support of a resolution 
designating September 26, 2013, as ``National Pediatric Brain Cancer 
Awareness Day.''
  Childhood is a time for growing--growing bodies, growing minds, and 
growing hearts. It is a time for bike rides that end in skinned knees 
and sleepovers in backyard forts. It is a time for wondrous stories of 
Neverland and family board games. It is a time to learn the difference 
between right and wrong and the difficult discipline of homework. It is 
a time--a very brief time--given to us by God to live without fear or 
physical pain or without burdens and responsibilities.
  For too many children, though, childhood is very different. Too many 
children in this country are forced to grow up far too quickly. The 
stark realities of hunger and poverty mature them and some have no 
choice but to learn the hard lessons of courage from the cruel, 
unyielding teacher of sickness.
  Despite this hasty transition from storybooks to the harsh realities 
of life, these children remain beacons of hope. They inspire us. They 
challenge us to overcome our own trials which seem trivial in 
comparison to the heavy burdens they shoulder. They prompt us all to 
believe in the power of miracles because they have no other choice.
  One such child is a friend of mine. He is a personal hero. His name 
is Jack Hoffman. Jack Hoffman is a 7-year-old boy. He was born and 
raised in Atkinson, NE.
  Jack's early years passed like those of many children his age who 
live in Nebraska communities. He learned to fish and hunt. He went for 
long bike rides. He played sports. He started school. He made friends 
with many of his classmates. I am willing to bet little Jack has also 
had a fight or two with his siblings.
  But childhood for Jack took a quick and unexpected turn on April 22, 
2011--almost exactly 2 years ago--when Jack suffered a life-threatening 
seizure. Upon examining him, doctors had shocking news: Jack had brain 
cancer.
  Jack immediately underwent surgery to remove this cancerous mass on 
his brain, but the surgery did not bring

[[Page S2992]]

about the results they hoped for. As doctors desperately sought an 
answer, Jack's young body continued to be riddled with seizures. Within 
5 months, he endured a second brain surgery which removed 95 percent of 
the remaining tumor. But despite this success, in April 2012 the MRI 
showed that Jack's cancer had returned and doctors determined it was 
inoperable. So Jack quickly began 60 weeks of chemotherapy, employing 
an outdated regimen used by doctors for over 25 years.
  Unfortunately, diminished research funding for pediatric brain cancer 
has stunted medical advancements, so treatment options remain limited. 
But Jack and his parents didn't despair. They remain hopeful and 
determined to discover God's will in their hardships.
  In a recent Omaha World-Herald story, Jack's father Andy is quoted as 
saying:

       I don't know why God chose Jack to have this. But I do know 
     that we can make something good out of it, and that's promote 
     the improvement of treatments of this disease.

  So the Hoffmans set out, they set out on a mission to raise awareness 
for pediatric brain cancer.
  This is a rare but devastating disease that poses unique health and 
developmental problems for the 3,000 child patients who are diagnosed 
each year. Jack and other children suffering from brain cancer endure 
seizures, difficulty speaking, and trouble with their balance. The 
list, unfortunately, goes on. They spend long periods of time away from 
their families, friends, and classmates. They miss school, they miss 
football games, and they miss out on childhood.
  The Hoffmans' fundraising efforts through the Team Jack campaign have 
yielded over $300,000, and it is all for pediatric brain cancer 
research.
  Although there are countless worthy charities across our country, my 
husband Bruce and I feel a special connection with Team Jack, and we 
have worked very closely with the Hoffman family to increase awareness 
of pediatric brain cancer.
  While Jack and his family have been friends of mine for many years, 
he was first introduced to most Americans when he became an overnight 
football star--complete with his own trading card--and he did this at 
the Huskers spring football game on April 6, 2013. Jack suited up with 
football pads and a No. 22 jersey, and little Jack ran 69 yards. He 
scored a touchdown in front of 60,000 screaming fans in our Memorial 
Stadium in Lincoln, NE.
  In a single dash across the gridiron, little Jack Hoffman touched the 
hearts of millions of Americans, and that includes 7.6 million YouTube 
viewers, and he increased awareness of pediatric brain cancer.
  It didn't take a touchdown, though, to make Jack a hero. He smiles 
through the pain. His courage and his resilience represent the very 
best of the human spirit and the very best of our Nation.
  I admire the Hoffmans for their unwavering commitment to transform 
this very personal trial into a force for good. I am deeply grateful 
for all they have done to find a cure.
  Today the Senate commends the Hoffmans, Team Jack, and all those 
Americans who work tirelessly to battle and bring attention to 
pediatric brain cancer. The resolution Senator Klobuchar and I are 
submitting recognizes the unique struggles of pediatric brain cancer 
for their patients and their families. It commends scientists, 
researchers, and health care providers working to modernize and improve 
the diagnosis and treatment options; and, importantly, it designates 
September 26, 2013, as ``National Pediatric Brain Cancer Awareness 
Day'' to encourage efforts toward the early diagnosis and treatment and 
ultimate cure for this disease.
  So at this time I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to 
the consideration of S. Res. 116, submitted earlier today.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 116) designating September 26, 2013, 
     as ``National Pediatric Brain Cancer Awareness Day''.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the joint 
resolution.
  Mrs. FISCHER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motions to 
reconsider be laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 116) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  (The resolution, with its preamble, is printed in today's Record 
under ``Submitted Resolutions.'')
  Mrs. FISCHER. Thank you, Mr. President. I yield the floor.

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