[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 197 (Monday, December 19, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7305-S7306]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            MORNING BUSINESS

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                       TRIBUTE TO TRACY COUNCILL

  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, Marcelle and I have been involved with a 
wonderful charity for more than 20 years, with Marcelle on its board 
for over a decade. Tracy's Kids helps children with cancer or blood 
disorders cope with the emotional toll imposed by their disease and its 
treatment. Tracy Councill, the heart and soul of that program and a 
woman who has made a difference in the lives of tens of thousands of 
patients, siblings, and parents, is retiring after 31 years.
  The following announcement by Matt Gerson, founder and president of 
Tracy's Kids, underscores the positive impact that she has made over 
the course of her career: ``Big News--Tracy is retiring from Georgetown 
after 31 years. Her service has been indispensable for the patients, 
siblings, and parents she helped guide through their darkest times. Her 
announcement is eliciting expressions of gratitude from the medical 
professionals with whom she served, and throughout the Art Therapy 
community she influenced.
  ``I recognized a long time ago that Tracy was put on this earth to do 
what she does. Because of the model that she developed at Georgetown, 
Tracy's Kids has fundamentally changed the standard of care for 
pediatric oncology in the region--and beyond. Her patience, compassion, 
commitment, and professionalism--along with that accent--have been 
invaluable to thousands of children and families.
  ``Tracy is as heroic to her admirers as better-known GOATs. Our Giant 
Of Art Therapy has trained and inspired generations of students who 
aspire to be as impactful. Grateful parents know that they could not 
have confronted the exhausting chapter of their lives without her. Part 
of her legacy will be paid forward by former patients who are now Art 
Therapists themselves--as well as the ones pursuing careers in art 
disciplines from jewelry making to film.
  ``She will still serve as the Tracy's Kids Program Director, and 
continue to teach, lecture, and publish on how to help kids and 
families develop strategies for coping with scary procedures, 
communicate with doctors and nurses, and express the fears that might 
lead to nightmares and social isolation.
  ``I knew nothing of Art Therapy when we met 25 years ago. If 
anything, I was a bit skeptical. But because of her, when you walk into 
a clinic served by Tracy's Kids you will likely see children with 
infusions in their arms, crayons in their hands and smiles on their 
faces. She has created environments where kids can just be kids--not 
`sick kids.' And because they feel so comfortable, patients and their 
siblings actually look forward to going to the clinic--a sentiment we 
hear over and over and find hard to believe each and every time.

[[Page S7306]]

  ``Please join me in wishing Tracy and Don the very best in their 
retirement and much success and enjoyment in the endeavors that lie 
ahead.''
  Marcelle and I appreciate all she has done and also send Tracy and 
Don our best wishes.

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