[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 54 (Tuesday, March 23, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S1704]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        REMEMBERING ANDY HOFFMAN

 Mrs. FISCHER. Mr. President, I first met Andy Hoffman at a 
chili cook off in Butte, NE, in October of 2004. I was running for my 
first term in the Nebraska Legislature. I was walking from group to 
group, talking with the cooks and tasting their chili, when I came upon 
a young man in jean overalls. I introduced myself, and we ended up 
talking for over 30 minutes.
  Actually, it would be more accurate to say he ``grilled'' me for over 
30 minutes with a smile on his face. He was kind, and he later became a 
supporter and a dear friend.
  We stayed in touch during my 8 years in the unicameral. Never one to 
keep strongly held opinions to himself, Andy would call me every now 
and then to tell me how he felt about bills in the legislature. When I 
decided to run for U.S. Senate, I asked him to serve as one of my 
county chairs.
  Andy agreed, but a few weeks later, his son Jack was diagnosed with 
brain cancer. Jack was just 5 years old at the time.
  Andy and his wife, Bri, had their lives turned upside down. But 
instead of giving up, they supported Jack every step of the way as he 
fought cancer. And they started the Team Jack Foundation in his honor, 
which helps fund pediatric brain cancer research and raise awareness 
about this terrible disease. Andy spent the years since Jack's 
diagnosis traveling the country and appearing on national television, 
where he spoke about how important this funding is for children like 
Jack.
  Like most Nebraskans, Jack loves Husker football. In 2013, his 
favorite player, Rex Burkhead, invited him to join the team for their 
annual spring game. Jack won Best Moment at the ESPY Awards that year 
when he ran 69 yards for a fourth-quarter touchdown and into the hearts 
of millions of people around the world. ``Sports Illustrated'' even 
made him one of their five nominees for Sportsman of the Year. Jack and 
Rex were kind enough to sign their jerseys for me, and I still have 
them hanging in my office today.
  To recognize the Hoffman family's heroic efforts, I was pleased to 
work with the White House to arrange an Oval Office visit with 
President Obama for Jack and the Hoffmans. And at that same time, I led 
a U.S. Senate resolution making Jack's birthday, September 26, National 
Pediatric Brain Cancer Awareness Day.
  Andy was relentless in bringing attention to this disease. Under 
Andy's leadership, Team Jack has raised over $8.4 million to help make 
sure no child has to go through what Jack has. He even published a book 
last year, ``Yards After Contact'', about Jack's fight.
  Andy led a successful law practice with offices in Atkinson, O'Neill, 
and Central City. He was also a passionate runner, even qualifying for 
the Boston Marathon in 2014. And he was especially fond of hunting, 
fishing, and spending all the time he could outdoors.
  Andy passed away on March 1, at age 42, after his own hard-fought 
battle with glioblastoma, an extremely aggressive type of brain cancer. 
Our State lost a remarkable Nebraskan. His wife, Bri, and three 
children, Jack, Ava, and Reese, lost a loving husband and father, and 
Bruce and I lost a wonderful friend.
  We are heartbroken that Andy is gone, but we take comfort in the fact 
that his legacy will live on through the incredible work of the Team 
Jack Foundation.
  The world is a better place today because of Andy's life. At the end 
of the day, I think that is all that any of us can ask for.
  I ask that you join me in honoring Andy's life. Please keep the 
Hoffman family in your prayers.

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