[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 68 (Wednesday, May 7, 2014)]
[House]
[Page H3454]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         HONORING THE EXTRAORDINARY LIFE OF JONI EARECKSON TADA

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Mississippi (Mr. Harper) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. HARPER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the extraordinary 
life of Joni Eareckson Tada.
  When Joni was 17 years old, she was just like any other high school 
graduate. She was thrilled to be on the brink of college, and she was 
excited to spend a summer swimming in the nearby Chesapeake Bay.
  With high school behind her, she was ready to really begin her life. 
She was not prepared, however, to have her fourth cervical vertebrae 
crushed in a terrible accident, an accident which would render her a 
paralyzed quadriplegic and shatter her mobility and independence 
forever.
  Unfortunately, that is exactly what happened. On July 30, 1967, while 
diving with her sister, Joni misjudged the depth of the water and 
snapped her neck at the bottom of the water. She lost all movement in 
her hands and legs and was rushed, motionless, to the hospital.
  Joni spent many grueling months there and often thought about killing 
herself. She thought her life was not worth living, and she didn't want 
to be a burden on her loved ones.
  ``There were many nights I would wrench my head back and forth on the 
pillow, hoping to break my neck up at a higher level. I wanted to 
die,'' Joni later said.
  There were times she even asked her friends to help her commit 
suicide. She was desperate to end her life; but despite her intense 
depression, despite her intense physical suffering, it was during this 
time that Joni turned to her Christian faith and began to search for 
new purpose in her tragedy.
  She studied her Bible, leaned on her friends and family, and prayed 
for guidance, until she realized, almost overnight, that while she 
would never be able to walk again, she could choose to live through her 
disability. The Lord could use her to inspire and encourage others.
  So she resolved, ``One night, lying there in the hospital, I said, 
`God, if I can't die, please show me how to live.' ''
  I am glad to say, Mr. Speaker, that she has lived well, is one of the 
most inspirational figures I know, and has touched so many lives with 
her incredible story. Let me briefly outline some of her many 
accomplishments and undertakings.
  During a 2-year rehabilitation period after she left the hospital, 
Joni learned how to hold a paintbrush using her teeth. She labored away 
at this skill and often struggled, until she mastered the technique. 
Today, her artwork is prized around the world and is just one of the 
many ways she has provided inspiration.
  In 1979, she founded Joni and Friends, a Christian ministry dedicated 
to serving the disabled community around the world. It partners with 
local churches to provide resources and support for thousands of 
families afflicted by disabilities. In fact, her organization has 
served families in 47 countries and, in 2006, opened a new facility in 
the United States.
  Just a few weeks ago, I had the pleasure to meet and talk with Joni 
about her ministry and was privileged to introduce her before she spoke 
at Belhaven University in Jackson, Mississippi.

                              {time}  1030

  The ministry does such incredible work. And let me tell you, I don't 
think she has any plans of slowing down.
  In addition to all this, she has somehow found time to publish over 
50 books, many of which are critically acclaimed and rank on bestseller 
lists. Her radio show, ``Joni and Friends,'' is broadcast in over 1,000 
outlets and, in 2002, won the Radio Program of the Year award from the 
National Religious Broadcasters Association.
  Joni has even helped us get things done here in Washington. She has 
represented the disabled on numerous government committees and was 
instrumental in the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act. And 
she continues to help.
  As for awards, her list is very long. She is the recipient of the 
Victory Award from the National Rehabilitation Hospital, the Golden 
Word Award from the International Bible Society, and the Courage Award 
from the Courage Rehabilitation Center. She is a member of the 
Christian Booksellers Association's Hall of Honor and is a recipient of 
the William Wilberforce Award.
  Joni holds honorary degrees from Westminster Theological Seminary, 
Biola University, Indiana Wesleyan University, Columbia International 
University, Lancaster Bible College, Gordon College, and Western 
Maryland College.
  As I said, she is quite the achiever. And how does she really do it? 
Well, you know, Mr. Speaker, I think something that C.S. Lewis once 
said helps to answer that. He said:

       If you read history, you will find that the people who did 
     most for the present world were precisely those who thought 
     most of the next. It is since people have largely ceased to 
     think of the other world that they have become so ineffective 
     in this world.

  I think Joni understands this. Her mind is truly set on another 
place. Her life has been extraordinary.
  So, again, on behalf of the House of Representatives, I would like to 
recognize and celebrate the life of Joni Eareckson Tada, a courageous 
woman who truly knows how to live.

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