[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 114 (Monday, July 21, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Page S4663]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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 SENATE RESOLUTION 509--HONORING THE EXTRAORDINARY AND COURAGEOUS LIFE 
                           OF MATTIE STEPANEK

  Ms. MIKULSKI (for herself and Mr. Cardin) submitted the following 
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 509

       Whereas Matthew ``Mattie'' Joseph Thaddeus Stepanek, was 
     born on July 17, 1990, in Rockville, Maryland;
       Whereas Mattie Stepanek was born with a rare form of 
     Muscular Dystrophy--Dysautonomic Mitochondrial Myopathy;
       Whereas the siblings of Mattie Stepanek--Katie, Stevie, and 
     Jamie--were diagnosed with the same rare disease;
       Whereas Mattie Stepanek began writing poetry, short 
     stories, and essays to deal with grief over the death of his 
     siblings;
       Whereas the writings of Mattie Stepanek reflected his deep 
     understanding of our ever-evolving world and the need for 
     hope and peace;
       Whereas Mattie Stepanek became a 7-time New York Times 
     best-selling author;
       Whereas Mattie Stepanek gave inspiration and educational 
     speeches to audiences ranging from school children to 
     business leaders and politicians;
       Whereas Mattie Stepanek spoke about spirituality, 
     disability, education, and health care, delivering a message 
     of hope and peace to his audiences;
       Whereas the words of Mattie Stepanek inspired millions of 
     people around the world, including the 39th President of the 
     United States, who was a friend of Mattie and delivered his 
     eulogy;
       Whereas Mattie Stepanek engaged in public service, working 
     with Children's Hospice International to improve guidelines 
     for the health and hospice care of children and serving as a 
     3-term National Goodwill Ambassador for the Muscular 
     Dystrophy Association;
       Whereas Mattie Stepanek has been honored with numerous 
     awards, during his lifetime and posthumously, including the 
     Children's Hope Medal of Honor and induction into the Kids 
     Hall of Fame;
       Whereas Mattie Stepanek passed away on June 22, 2004, at 
     Children's National Medical Center in Washington, D.C.;
       Whereas the mother of Mattie continues to raise awareness 
     about the message of hope and peace that Mattie delivered and 
     led the effort to create the Mattie J.T. Stepanek Park in 
     Rockville, Maryland;
       Whereas the Mattie Stepanek Foundation celebrates July 17th 
     as ``Mattie Stepanek World Peace Day''; and
       Whereas recognizing the 24th birthday of Mattie Stepanek 
     honors the compassion and dedication to hope that Mattie 
     embodied: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate honors the extraordinary life and 
     legacy of Matthew ``Mattie'' Stepanek.

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