[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 26 (Friday, February 7, 2025)]
[House]
[Page H560]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING ANNA PAYNE

  (Mr. FITZPATRICK asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to 
honor the life of the extraordinary Anna Payne, a woman whose impact on 
Bucks County, Pennsylvania, will endure for generations.
  Mr. Speaker, Anna dedicated herself to service, not for recognition 
but because she believed in the power of uplifting others. Diagnosed 
with cystic fibrosis at a young age, Anna understood struggle but she 
refused to let it define her.
  Instead, she worked tirelessly to make life better for those facing 
challenges of their own. Anna was a fierce advocate for better 
healthcare and stronger support for families navigating rare diseases 
just like herself.
  Through her leadership as vice chair of the Pennsylvania Rare Disease 
Council and as the founder of the Bucks County Cystic Fibrosis 
Alliance, Anna gave hope and a voice to so many in our community and 
across America.
  Anna remained resolute in the face of a stage IV cancer diagnosis in 
2021. This was an especially heartbreaking and all-too familiar 
diagnosis, as a year before her battle began, I lost my brother, Mike, 
who fought bravely but was taken by the same advanced stage cancer.
  Anna continued serving as an elected official, advocating for 
policies that would ease the burden of others. Whether through her 
relentless work and healthcare advocacy, her commitment to local 
initiatives, or her ability to bring people together, Anna embodied the 
very best of our Bucks County community.
  Mr. Speaker, today we mourn a profound loss, but we also celebrate a 
legacy and honor a life of service, of sacrifice, and of unyielding 
determination. Mr. Speaker, Anna's spirit remains woven into the fabric 
of our community. We honor her not just by words but with action by 
ensuring that her legacy is not only remembered but lived.

                          ____________________