[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 158 (Tuesday, September 25, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1290]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                        HONORING MATTHEW CHANEY

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 25, 2018

  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Matthew Chaney, a 
member of the Merced High School Class of 1978 who has been recognized 
for his dignity, grace, and courage. Since graduating high school forty 
years ago, Mr. Chaney has made numerous contributions to his family and 
community, particularly in the last seventeen years with his fight 
against ALS.
  After high school, Mr. Chaney attended the University of California, 
Berkeley and earned a degree in physical education. After graduating, 
Mr. Chaney began his professional career, which has included work in 
product development and sales in the chemical industry.
  For the last thirty years, Mr. Chaney has been a devoted father to 
two remarkable gentlemen, having spent many years supporting the 
activities of his sons and community. He has served as a little league 
board member and remained active as a coach for both baseball and 
soccer, despite having lost the use of his arms. In Lafayette, 
California, the ``Chaney Field'' at the Lafayette Little League stands 
in honor of Mr. Chaney's contributions to his community and family.
  Mr. Chaney also holds a passion for environmental protection. As a 
co-director of Bluefish.org, he helps lead an organization committed to 
facilitating an open, honest dialogue between citizenry, business, and 
government concerning the plight of Idaho's wild salmon and steelhead.
  Since his ALS diagnosis in 2000 at the age of 40, Mr. Chaney has been 
an advocate for those affected by the disease through his involvement 
in many local and national fundraising and awareness efforts. Some of 
these include Major League Baseball's ``4ALS'' initiative with the San 
Francisco Giants, ``Runs for ALS'' Lafayette Little League campaign, 
and most notably for the ALS Association's Golden West Chapter, which 
he fundraised over $1 million for.
  On June 3, 2016 Mr. Chaney was honored as the recipient of the Spirit 
Award at The ALS Association Golden West Chapter's Annual Champions for 
Care and a Cure dinner as celebration for his determination for his 
efforts in the areas of advocacy, fundraising, and public awareness of 
ALS.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring the 
accomplishments of Mr. Matthew Chaney. The courage, dignity, and grace 
he has exhibited while confronting each of life's challenges is truly 
exceptional. It is both fitting and appropriate that we honor him as 
the Merced High School Class of 1978 celebrates their 40th Class 
Reunion.

                          ____________________