[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 81 (Thursday, May 17, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2770-S2771]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  REMEMBERING CHRISTOPHER P. STADELMAN

 Mr. MANCHIN. Mr. President, I wish today to honor the life of 
a West Virginia son and selfless public servant, Christopher P. 
Stadelman.
  After the news that Chris lost his hard-fought, 4-year battle with 
colon cancer on Friday, May 11, 2018, loved ones and friends from 
across West Virginia joined in a chorus of sadness for the loss of such 
a remarkable person, but also thankfulness for the inspiring life he 
lived.
  Chris dedicated his life to serving the people of West Virginia as a 
journalist and editor at the Charleston Daily Mail, as the co-owner and 
operator of the Parsons Advocate with his incredible wife, Kelly, and 
as communications director and chief of staff for Governor Earl Ray 
Tomblin. Chris said these were his ``dream jobs'', and he certainly 
made an enduring impact through each one of them.
  Chris and Kelly called two places home: Charleston and Thomas, WV. He 
is a member of the Marshall University Journalism Hall of Fame and was 
named a Distinguished West Virginian by Governor Tomblin and an 
Honorary Mountaineer Brigadier by MG James Hoyer of the West Virginia 
National Guard.
  He loved the news and seemed to always know the latest news well 
before it broke. He loved debating politics and policy. He loved 
baseball, especially the Pittsburgh Pirates. He loved his dogs. Above 
all, he loved Kelly.
  When they ran the Parsons Advocate together, Chris would often go to 
the scene of news and report back to Kelly in the newsroom. For 18 
years, they were partners in every sense, and she was his rock as he 
fought colon cancer with fearless resolve.
  During his 4-year battle, on most days, you wouldn't have known Chris 
was sick. In the Governor's office, he was often the first to arrive in 
the mornings and the last to leave. After the tragic flooding that took 
23 lives in West Virginia in 2016, Chris was tireless in finding ways 
to help West Virginians recover, even leading the charge to establish a 
program that has helped people rebuild their homes.
  It is because of all of this and so much more that Chris has been 
surrounded with a family of friends and supporters who proudly proclaim 
the name Team Stadelman.
  I have always been moved by Chris's inspiring life, and my abiding 
thoughts and prayers are with Kelly; his mom, Nancy; his stepmom, 
Helen; his siblings, Matt, Jonathan, Philip, and Rachel; and all of 
Team Stadelman.
  Last year, Chris's father, Paul, lost his own battle with cancer. 
When reflecting on his son's illness, Paul wrote, ``So much has been 
shared. So much has been given. So much has been accomplished.''
  And for that, West Virginia is so much better.

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