[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 18 (Thursday, February 2, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E133]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    IN RECOGNITION OF KAREN SHORTER

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. BARBARA COMSTOCK

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, February 2, 2017

  Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the 15th year 
anniversary of the organ donation made by one of my constituents, Karen 
Shorter, of Manassas Park, Virginia. On July 30th, 2002, Ms. Shorter 
donated one of her kidneys to Janet Melson Burns, a neighbor in need. 
Together they volunteered at the National Kidney Foundation as members 
of their Speaker's Bureau. Through the Foundation's Speaker's Bureau 
they both came to Capitol Hill where they spoke on the importance of 
the prevention and treatment of various kidney diseases.
  Every year, Ms. Shorter and Ms. Burns celebrate a Happy Life Day on 
the anniversary of their transplant. These two have a ferocious 
friendship that transcends distance made. This is evident by the fact 
that even though Janet and her husband live in Atlanta, Georgia, she 
and Karen still make time for their Happy Life Day celebration. Through 
the transplant they have come to know personally each other's direct 
and extended family. This action has brought them closer together as 
people, neighbors, and friends. I am proud to have Karen Shorter as my 
constituent in the 10th district and hope she continues to share her 
heartwarming story on organ donation. In addition to her selfless act 
of kindness, Ms. Shorter recently retired after 25 years of government 
service to the Federal Bureau of Prisons in Washington, DC and I thank 
her for her service.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in applauding Ms. Shorter 
for her actions and volunteer work and to wish them a ``Happy Life 
Day'' when they meet in Charleston, South Carolina this July.

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