[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 170 (Tuesday, December 3, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1771]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     ON THE PASSING OF CHRIS BATTLE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TIM GRIFFIN

                              of arkansas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 3, 2013

  Mr. GRIFFIN of Arkansas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with great sadness 
to remember my good friend Chris Battle, who passed away on August 8, 
2013, at the age of 45 after a four-year battle with kidney cancer.
  Chris received both his bachelor's degree and his master's degree 
from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. After a short stint as 
a reporter for the Northwest Arkansas Times, he served as Deputy Chief 
of Staff and Communications Director for then-Representative Asa 
Hutchinson for nearly four years. He went on to manage the editorial 
page of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, our state's most-read newspaper. 
During the George W. Bush Administration, he held public affairs and 
management positions at the Drug Enforcement Administration and U.S. 
Immigration and Customs Enforcement. He returned to Arkansas to manage 
a gubernatorial campaign, and then became a Partner at Adfero Group in 
Washington, DC, where he continued to work after being diagnosed with 
cancer.
  I first met Chris and his wife, Dena, when I was working as staff on 
Capitol Hill. Chris was a funny, brilliant, thoughtful and caring 
friend who impacted the lives of many for the better.
  I have fond memories of spending time with Chris and Dena in both 
Washington, DC, and Little Rock. Chris is missed. Rest in peace, Chris.
  Along with Dena, Chris wrote about his struggle with cancer on a blog 
called ``The Kidney Cancer Chronicles.'' Chris was funny and 
reflective, and he wrote about his love for his family, Dena and 
daughters, Kate and Josie.
  Those that knew Chris or read his blogs will tell you he was an 
intelligent and thoughtful human being. An incredible writer, he turned 
some of his darkest hours into encouragement for others also suffering 
from this deadly disease.
  In February, Chris recounted how his situation had taken a turn for 
the better, all things considered, writing: ``Never give up, never lose 
faith. I can't know whether this reprieve will last, but, given this 
new life, I plan to embrace it while it does.''
  Chris embraced life with vigor, even as his faded. As our thoughts 
and prayers remain with the loved ones he left behind, let us always 
remember the example that he set and keep his words close in our 
hearts.

                          ____________________