[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 209 (Thursday, December 10, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1133]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    REMEMBERING ANNABELLE BEAUCHAMP

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                          HON. JOE CUNNINGHAM

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 10, 2020

  Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Madam Speaker, I arise today to honor the short life 
of Annabelle Kristine Beauchamp of Bellevue, Kentucky.
  Annabelle was only three years of age when she left us on December 2, 
2020. But in that short time on earth, she inspired a multitude of 
people with her great inner strength, determination, and fearless zest 
for life. She bedazzled the world as to how anyone so frail could be so 
powerful.
  Born with Downs Syndrome and a badly damaged heart she endured 
against all odds. Annabelle fought her way through numerous surgeries, 
and frequent and prolonged stays in the hospital. In the end, it still 
took a monstrous and murderous worldwide pandemic to vanquish her. With 
her death-grappling struggle she easily won all of us to her side. As 
Virgil wrote, ``those things doomed to die, touch the heart.''
  Against the torrent of hardships which beset her from the very 
beginning, sweet Annabelle gallantly soldiered on through it all. With 
her captivating smile and determination, she breathed life into the 
state's ethos of unbridled spirit.
  Though faced with many obstacles at birth, Annabelle was richly 
blessed with two incredibly brave and loving parents--Will and Jessi 
Beauchamp. They proved to be a match in love and devotion with little 
Annabelle's undaunted courage.
  Anyone blessed to have known Annabelle during her short life knows 
that she did not intend to leave us so soon. She intended to live, to 
grow, to thrive and to bless us all for a long time to come. She 
intended to stay and bless us, no matter what it took. But, tragically, 
death conquers the earthly vessel in which we live, even if possessed 
of the vigor and zest as our little heroine. Annabelle left behind a 
little bit of herself wherever she went. No amount of physical 
impediments nor human restraints can be retentive to the strength of 
spirit. She left us with the eternal gift of that spirit. Even now, 
though freshly gone, she whispers to us in her own unique and endearing 
voice.
     Do not stand at my grave and cry,
     I am not dead, I did not die.
     I am the stars that shine at night,
     I am the sun in morning's light.
     Do not stand at my grave and cry,
     I do not sleep, I did not die.

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