[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 159 (Wednesday, October 28, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1554]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING THE LIFE OF CHRIS WEST

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. RICHARD HUDSON

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 28, 2015

  Mr. HUDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Chris West of Concord, 
North Carolina, who passed away far too soon on August 22, 2015, after 
a four year fight with cancer. We send our prayers and sincerest 
condolences to his parents, Brian and Michelle West, the entire West 
family, his friends, and the Jay M. Robinson High School community.
   Born on August 19, 1998, Chris dedicated his short life to serving 
others, even in the face of battling such a horrific disease. During 
his four year fight with Hodgkin's lymphoma, Chris has made national 
headlines for his selflessness and his desire to care for others. A 
prime example of Chris' selflessness is rather than celebrating a 
successful bone marrow transplant in a personal way, like many of us 
would, Chris performed 100 random acts of kindness for others in his 
community. During his struggle with cancer, Chris was never known to 
ask for anything; that is until his 17th birthday. The only thing Chris 
wanted for his birthday were birthday cards, and the community he gave 
so much to responded by sending him more than 10,000 cards.
   In a recent People magazine feature about Chris' request for 
birthday cards, he was quoted as saying ``I like going to the mailbox. 
It's just an exciting feeling and it makes me feel special.'' I can 
say, without a shadow of a doubt, that Chris was a special individual, 
and I hope he knew that every day of his life. Our community will 
greatly miss his kind heart and indomitable spirit, and he will be 
remembered as a shining example of the best among us.
   Mr. Speaker, please join me today in commemorating the life of Chris 
West, who in his short life taught us that no matter what difficulty 
life may throw at us, we should always take time to serve others.

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