[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 29 (Wednesday, February 14, 2024)]
[House]
[Page H586]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF GREGGORY JACKSON HUGHEY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Tennessee (Mr. Kustoff) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. KUSTOFF. Madam Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart but also 
with pride, to pay tribute to Greggory Jackson Hughey from Tipton 
County, Tennessee.
  Jackson Hughey is a former Covington High School football player who 
recently lost his 7-year battle with cancer.
  Jackson had bravely fought neuroblastoma cancer since 2017. That 
cancer should not define Jackson, but it is certainly part of his 
story.
  Jackson was a brave young man. In fact, Jason Hughey, Jackson's 
father, said that Jackson defined his cancer and defined his life.
  Jackson never ever discussed his cancer diagnosis unless he was 
receiving treatment or getting a checkup at St. Jude Children's 
Hospital in Memphis. Jason and Deanne Hughey are so appreciative of all 
the care and support they received from the healthcare providers at St. 
Jude Children's Hospital.
  Jackson found comfort through his faith. His family said that Jackson 
did not allow the cancer to control him or bother him because, in their 
words, he knew where he was going.

  Jackson is remembered for his passion for all sports, specifically 
football. It was through football that I first met Jackson a number of 
years ago. Jackson's love for life and for sports truly shined through, 
and I think this photo here clearly shows that.
  Along with his childhood friends, Jackson started H+H Podcast, a 
weekly show to discuss the latest news and sports and to preview 
upcoming games. Now whether the topic was football, basketball, 
baseball, or any other sport, Jackson and his friend, Tanner, covered 
the bases over their 70 episodes.
  Jackson was a big fan of the University of Memphis Tigers. One 
morning just before Christmas, a couple of months ago, Jackson and his 
father headed to St. Jude Children's Hospital for a transfusion of 
platelets. When it was clear that they were not going to be ready for 
the treatment before they needed to leave for the Memphis Tigers 
basketball game versus Vanderbilt, Jackson told his St. Jude nurse that 
he had to wait to get his platelets until after the basketball game, 
and that is what he did.
  Jackson went to the game and then he returned to the hospital for his 
transfusion. Jackson simply was not going to allow his sickness to stop 
him from doing the things that he loved.
  In the years following his diagnosis, it was moving to see the entire 
Tipton County community rally in support of him. Even the rival fans 
started wearing Covington High School colors in honor of Jackson.
  Jackson taught all of us that life is precious, and he showed us what 
it is like to be brave and to fight hard. Jackson showed us how to 
fully embrace life and how to overcome fear.
  As a testament to his courage and to his life, Jackson was awarded 
the Commercial Appeal's Courage Award in 2021. Jackson passed away on 
January 28, just a couple of weeks ago.
  Yesterday would have been Jackson's 21st birthday. Jackson Hughey is 
the pride of Covington and Tipton County. Today our prayers go out to 
Jason and Deanne, as well as Jackson's brother and sister, Jake and Jan 
Claire, as they mourn their beloved son and brother. Jackson's story 
and his strength are an inspiration to us all.

                          ____________________