[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 94 (Thursday, June 7, 2018)]
[House]
[Page H4852]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           THANKING SUE SMITH

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Massachusetts (Mr. Kennedy) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. Speaker, a few years ago, Massachusetts was bracing 
for a brutal blizzard bringing extreme life-threatening cold. Families 
were bundling up; schools canceled class; first responders prepared for 
a long, long night of calls. And one woman, Sue Smith, was opening the 
doors to Faith Alliance Church in Attleboro to welcome the city's 
homeless population into her warm embrace.
  It was an extraordinary act of compassion and community service. But 
for Sue, it wasn't. It was just one more day of fiercely protecting her 
neighbors, one more night of caring for the most vulnerable among us, 
one more family given a roof over their heads, one more life saved from 
hypothermia.
  A few months after that snowy, freezing night, I was humbled to 
invite Sue to be my guest to the State of the Union Address.
  Sue has never asked for recognition or praise, but few are more 
deserving than she is. She has never asked for a helping hand when 
facing her own personal battles.
  But this week, I learned that Sue has been diagnosed with pancreatic 
cancer. And although I know she would never ask her neighbors to return 
her immense gratitude, we do have a message for her.
  Sue, we are by your side in your fight. We know this cancer won't 
stop you or even slow you, but we are here with you for whatever you 
need.
  Thank you for being our better angel.

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