[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 50 (Thursday, March 21, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E274]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   ALEK RICHARDSON, RECIPIENT OF THE 2024 EDUCATION ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

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                          HON. MATT CARTWRIGHT

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 21, 2024

  Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Mr. Speaker, today I recognize a very special 
constituent, Alek Richardson, whose unwavering optimism and unshakable 
courage will be celebrated on March 27 at the Arc of Lehigh and 
Northampton Counties' 2024 Celebration Awards. A resident of 
Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, Alek is this year's deserving recipient of 
the organization's Education Achievement Award.
  On December 9, 2023, Alex received a standing ovation at Slippery 
Rock University's commencement ceremony when he accepted his 
certificate for completing the requirements of the school's Rock Life 
program, a post-secondary education program for students with 
intellectual or developmental disabilities.
  Alek's journey to that moment was nothing short of momentous. Born in 
Ukraine, his devoted mother, Jean Richardson, recalls: ``The miracle 
story started nearly 30 years ago, when a social worker in Ukraine 
placed a 4.7-pound infant in my hands and said, `If you do not take 
him, he will die here.' ''
  Upon arrival in the United States, the struggling infant was 
airlifted to a hospital and given little to no chance of survival. But 
Alek had other plans.
  Five surgeries and six weeks later, Alek was taken off life support. 
Despite suffering apraxia to his brain--the result of permanent brain 
damage due to malnutrition, premature birth and significant medical 
trauma--Alek showed a resounding resilience that was nurtured over the 
past three decades by a selfless Jean, his champion and cheerleader for 
life.
  Slippery Rock University's motto encourages students to live like a 
ROCK (Resilient, Optimistic, Courageous and Kind). Alek Richardson has 
embodied these noble traits since birth. I congratulate Alek--and his 
mother, Jean--for the inspiration they've instilled across 
Pennsylvania's 8th Congressional District.

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