[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 86 (Thursday, May 18, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E665]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     IN RECOGNITION OF SARA ABLARD

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. BARBARA COMSTOCK

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 18, 2017

  Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to use this time to 
recognize an outstanding constituent in Virginia's 10th District, Sara 
Ablard, who has had an incredible impact on increasing awareness for 
children with cleft palates and cleft lips. Working closely with the 
Smile Train, an organization that helps cover the $250 surgery for 
infants with the birth defect known as cleft lip or cleft palate, Ms. 
Ablard founded the Sadie's Smile Foundation in honor of her daughter 
Sadie who passed away six years ago during a roller skating accident.
  Ms. Ablard always remembers Sadie's beautiful smile and her 
compassion for other children. One day while walking through Dulles 
Town Center, Sadie saw a poster of a boy with a cleft palate and was 
intrigued and curious as to how she might be able to help him and 
others. That Christmas, Sadie and Ms. Ablard asked for donations 
instead of presents, and they were able to raise $500, which fully 
funded two surgeries for infants with cleft palates and lips.
  Sadie truly wanted to give others the chance to smile, as she once 
did so brightly and proudly, and when she passed away, Ms. Ablard made 
it her life goal to preserve Sadie's legacy through helping others. She 
started the Sadie's Smile Foundation, which, this year, is hosting its 
6th Annual 5K & Kids Fun Run for Smile Train, with the goal of raising 
$478,250, signifying $250 for each day her daughter was alive and 
smiling. The 5K and Fun Run not only increase awareness and raise money 
for the Smile Train organization, but the event also helps us all 
remember Sadie and bring the community together.
  Mr. Speaker, I now ask that my colleagues join me in recognizing Sara 
Ablard's heroic actions and the memory of her beloved daughter, Sadie. 
Individuals, like Sara, who overcome terrible tragedies in their own 
lives and go on to help others, truly make me proud to serve Virginia's 
10th District, and today, we honor and celebrate her contributions to 
our community and to those less fortunate. I wish Sara all the best in 
her future endeavors.

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