[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 218 (Friday, December 17, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S9302]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                       TRIBUTE TO DAVID TOMASSONI

 Ms. KLOBUCHAR. Mr. President, today I rise to honor Minnesota 
State Senator David Tomassoni, a public servant, Olympian, and friend. 
Even through his battle with Lou Gehrig's Disease--also known as ALS--
he has continued to serve the people of his district on Minnesota's 
Iron Range.
  David's family has a distinctly American story: His grandfather was 
an immigrant, and his father served in World War II. And David, a son 
of Chisholm, MN, attended Denver University on a full hockey 
scholarship before embarking on a professional hockey career that 
brought him to Italy and the Olympics. He then returned to the place he 
was so proud to call home: the Iron Range. As David is quick to remind 
anyone, the Range ``provided the ore that has forged the steel that has 
made the bridges of America.''
  Northern Minnesota was also where David found his true calling as a 
legislator. In nearly three decades of public service in the Minnesota 
House of Representatives and State senate, David has represented his 
community with pride, working every day to deliver real results for 
workers and families. From bringing good-paying jobs to his district, 
to improving schools, to fighting for safe conditions for miners, he 
has always been driven by a commitment to making his constituents' 
lives better.
  When David announced his ALS diagnosis, it sent a shock through the 
entire State senate, and his colleagues rushed to wish him 
encouragement and good health. But even in the face of his own 
illness--and in true Tomassoni fashion--he is still thinking of others. 
He is planning to introduce legislation to invest in new research, 
care, and ultimately a cure for ALS. He knows he likely will not be 
able to benefit from that investment himself, but the possibility that 
he could help another person is enough for him.
  I want to leave you with David's own words, from the letter he shared 
with his constituents about his ALS diagnosis. He wrote: ``I give you 
my word that my brain and my body will continue to represent you with 
the same passion and vigor I've tried to give in the past. I have been 
fortunate and blessed in my life, my career, in sports, and with 
friends and a great family. This is the next challenge.''
  David, you are an inspiration, not just to me, but to anyone who 
values hard work and determination. Thank you for your decades of 
service to the people of our great State, and my thoughts and best 
wishes are with you. If anyone is up to this challenge, it is 
you.

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