[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 162 (Tuesday, October 3, 2023)]
[House]
[Pages H4958-H4959]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          CELEBRATING HYUNDAI HOPE ON WHEELS' 25TH ANNIVERSARY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Kelly) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. KELLY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of 
childhood cancer research and the organization Hyundai Hope on Wheels, 
which is celebrating its 25th anniversary.
  Before serving in Congress, I began working with Hyundai Hope on 
Wheels in my role as a Hyundai dealer. Today, I am proud to work with 
this incredible

[[Page H4959]]

charity in my role as co-chair along with  Mike McCaul of the 
Congressional Childhood Cancer Caucus.
  Every time a Hyundai is sold, $22 of each new vehicle goes toward 
Hyundai Hope on Wheels to fund pediatric cancer research. Since 1998, 
this organization has raised over $225 million. It truly makes Hyundai 
not only a great company but a good company.
  Now, I work with dealers Tom O'Brien and Don Reilly, and these are 
the men who started this incredible charity. It has played a crucial 
role in creating hope and saving lives in the battle against childhood 
cancer, fueling nearly 1,300 research studies at more than 175 medical 
institutions.
  They are dedicated to supporting pediatric cancer research that finds 
innovative approaches, creates discovery, and improves care for 
children fighting cancer.
  Their milestone came during an important week last month. As they 
held their annual event here on Capitol Hill, the Congressional 
Childhood Cancer Caucus held its annual Childhood Cancer Summit 
simultaneously.
  Here in Congress and through the work of our caucus, we have made 
great legislative strides that have turned bills into laws and hope 
into action.
  Last year, we passed the Childhood Cancer STAR Reauthorization Act. 
Since it was first passed in 2018, this bill has expanded opportunities 
for childhood research, improved efforts to identify and track 
childhood cancer incidences, and enhanced the quality of life for 
childhood survivors.
  Since its inception, the Congressional Childhood Cancer Caucus has 
had four landmark pieces of legislation signed into law: The Childhood 
Cancer STAR Act, the Creating Hope Act, the RACE for Children Act, and 
the Global Hope Act. Our work is not done.
  Thanks to their work, and thanks to our partnership in Congress, we 
have made great strides in funding childhood cancer research. Most 
importantly, I believe we are getting closer to the day when no parent, 
no family, will ever again have to hear the words: ``Your child has 
cancer.''

  I also will take a moment to share a success story from the Hyundai 
Hope on Wheels program. Each year, Hyundai Hope on Wheels has a youth 
ambassador, and a few years ago, we met Hannah Adams. She was several 
years removed from battling cancer herself, and she shared with us some 
incredible and impactful stories.
  Hannah is now 13 years cancer-free, and this summer, she was an 
intern in our Washington, D.C., office. She is now a junior at the 
University of Alabama, double majoring in political science and public 
relations, and we know she will accomplish so much.
  It is my honor to have worked alongside Hannah and all of our youth 
ambassadors over the years.
  You can understand why we have a youth ambassador. If you or I were 
to go into a cancer hospital and try to talk to a child, it looks like, 
in my case, their grandfather came in. Hannah was their age. The youth 
ambassadors are their age, and they connect with children in a way that 
says to them: Look, I was once in the same position you were in. You 
can beat this. You can beat this, and we will work with you to do it.
  Mr. Speaker, I acknowledge that October is Breast Cancer Awareness 
Month. As co-chair of the House Cancer Caucus, I also make a commitment 
to those who are currently living with or who have lived with breast 
cancer. Congress will continue to fight for you by providing the 
necessary funding for research and support in the hope that someday we 
can find a cure.

                          ____________________