[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 140 (Friday, August 30, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1084]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING THE VANNIE E. COOK, JR. CHILDREN'S CANCER AND HEMATOLOGY 
                                 CLINIC

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. VICENTE GONZALEZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, August 30, 2019

  Mr. GONZALEZ of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
Vannie E. Cook, Jr. Children's Cancer and Hematology Clinic by 
recognizing the month of September 2019 as National Childhood Cancer 
Awareness Month.
  Childhood Cancer remains the number one cause of non-accidental death 
in children. Every year, approximately 1,700 Texas families will hear 
the words, ``Your child has cancer'' and about 105 of those brave 
children are from the Rio Grande Valley.
  For the last 18 years, the Vannie E. Cook, Jr. Children's Cancer and 
Hematology Clinic, the first comprehensive pediatric cancer and 
hematology clinic in the Rio Grande Valley, has provided quality care 
and treatment to over 10,000 South Texas children battling cancer and 
blood disorders, regardless of their family's financial capacity.
  On September 5, 2019, the Vannie Cook Children's Cancer Clinic and 
community members committed to fighting pediatric cancer will join 
together to host the Celebration of Life Carnival in McAllen, Texas. 
This community event will raise awareness of pediatric cancer, remember 
the young children we have lost, and honor the survivors as well as the 
courageous children and families fighting this disease every single 
day. It will be a day dedicated to children fighting cancer and l find 
it fitting to enter this important date in history into the record of 
the U.S. House of Representatives. I also plan to continue to do all I 
can, through my work in the Congress, to end all forms of cancer that 
afflict people all over the world.
  Madam Speaker, I commend all associated with the Vannie E. Cook, Jr. 
Children's Cancer and Hematology Clinic on the occasion of National 
Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. It is an honor to represent these 
courageous young people currently fighting cancer as well as those at 
the clinic for their invaluable work on behalf of children and families 
from the Rio Grande Valley.

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