[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 179 (Thursday, December 10, 2015)]
[House]
[Pages H9213-H9214]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         PINKY SWEAR FOUNDATION

  (Mr. PAULSEN asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. PAULSEN. Mr. Speaker, the pinky swear promise is a universal 
symbol to keep one's promise and one's word. For the Pinky Swear 
Foundation, keeping that promise means helping children who are 
battling cancer and their families.
  The foundation's work was actually started 12 years ago, after 9-
year-old Mitch Chepokas of Chanhassen, Minnesota, had been diagnosed 
with terminal bone cancer and, while in his hospital room, overheard 
others discussing that there would not be enough money for Christmas 
that year.
  Mitch decided that he would give away all of his money to those 
families so they could celebrate the holidays, and he made his father 
pinky swear to continue to make sure that they will

[[Page H9214]]

help children with cancer after he was gone.
  Today the Chepokas family has been joined by others in the community 
and around the country who have agreed to help keep this promise and 
help in the fight against cancer. The Pinky Swear Foundation has raised 
millions of dollars for different events for this cause.
  Mr. Speaker, tomorrow is Pinky Swear Day and a great time to 
recognize the wonderful work of this foundation. Mitch's bravery, 
selflessness, and heart continue to live on to help others.

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