[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 172 (Wednesday, October 25, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1429]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING SOPHIA ANN MYERS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. STEVEN M. PALAZZO

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 25, 2017

  Mr. PALAZZO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and remember 
Sophia Myers, who joined our Heavenly Father on October 20, 2017 after 
an eight-month battle with a type of brain cancer known as Diffuse 
Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG).
  To all who knew her, Sophia was as strong as she was kind. Fondly 
referred to as ``Bug'', she is remembered as a confident and witty 
little girl with an infectious smile and laugh. Sophia was a seven-
year-old student at Oak Park Elementary in Ocean Springs, Mississippi 
and was admired and loved by those who knew her for her vibrant love of 
life. She enjoyed the outdoors and was an accomplished fisherman, 
having won two awards at Sea and Sail Camp last year. Sophia was a fast 
runner and enjoyed running 1-mile races with her dad. She excelled at a 
variety of sports and participated in swimming, soccer, and was a 
member of the Girl Scouts. Her mother describes her as a talented 
dancer with her first lessons beginning when she was only two-years-
old. She was a dancer on the competitive dance team Itty Bitty DKG and 
a student dancer at Donna's Visual and Performing Arts Center. Sophia 
was also known to be a beautiful singer and regularly made up love 
songs for her mom and dad.
  Sophia was a child of the Lord and believed in His love and goodness 
even when faced with cancer. Although she was only seven-years-old when 
God called her home, Sophia's life and story have impacted not only the 
Gulf Coast community, but international communities as well. Stories of 
hope, prayer, and loss have been expressed to Sophia and her family 
from communities in South Africa, the United Kingdom, Australia, 
Germany, Finland, France, Canada, Brazil, and Sweden to name a few. 
Many people go through life wishing to make an impression on the world, 
and Sophia did just that during her short time on this Earth. Her 
goodness and love inspired many and will continue to do so long after 
her departure from this world. We offer thanks to the many doctors, 
nurses and medical staff who worked tirelessly to fight for Sophia and, 
when time came, made her comfortable during her final moments with her 
friends and family.
  I offer my sincerest condolences to Sophia's parents Angel and Josh 
Myers, as well as her many friends and family who remember her as a joy 
for all who were lucky enough to meet her. From my family to yours, we 
bear this grief with you and offer many prayers as well as thanks for 
gifting the world with as beautiful a person as Sophia ``Bug'' Myers.

                          ____________________