[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 45 (Wednesday, March 13, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S1840]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                      TRIBUTE TO GERALD KOTKOWSKI

 Ms. HASSAN. Mr. President, when Gerald Kotkowski of Hampton, 
NH, was preparing for retirement, he knew he would have more time on 
his hands and wanted to find a way to give back to his community. 
Inspired by his own life experiences, Gerald chose to serve as a 
volunteer driver to help people undergoing cancer treatment, as well as 
those who experience visual impairments. Since he started working with 
both Future in Sight and the American Cancer Society, Gerald has 
provided more than 400 rides to his fellow Granite Staters in need. For 
his incredible volunteerism, I am proud to recognize him as March 
2019's Granite Stater of the Month.
  Gerald began driving people undergoing cancer treatment after he 
heard about the program from a coworker. The cause, he said, touched 
him because of his own experiences; he and his wife both have had 
cancer scares, and their daughter was diagnosed with leukemia as a 
child. While his daughter has thankfully been cancer-free for over two 
decades, he still remembers the impact that the diagnosis had on his 
family. Gerald also provides rides to Granite Staters who experience 
visual impairments through Future in Sight, inspired by a friend with 
low vision. Many of the people Gerald drives are from rural parts of 
our State or don't have the support networks they need while undergoing 
treatment and are profoundly grateful for the simple act.
  In addition to providing rides, Gerald is also active in supporting 
adult Granite Staters who experience disabilities. Inspired in part by 
raising his own daughter who experiences Down syndrome, every Monday, 
Gerald plays basketball with adults who experience disabilities through 
Friends in Action NH, an organization dedicated to providing social and 
recreational activities to those who experience disabilities. Gerald 
also serves on the board of the organization.
  For his selfless work to support those who need care in his community 
and to ensure that those who experience disabilities are fully 
included, I am proud to recognize Gerald as the March 2019 Granite 
Stater of the Month.

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