[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 120 (Wednesday, July 22, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E725]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





 HONORING STUDENTS SRIKRISHNA DOWLAPALLI, AVNEET SINGH, KUSH DAVE, AND 
            AARON PERSKY OF BRIDGEWATER-RARITAN HIGH SCHOOL

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. THOMAS H. KEAN, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 22, 2026

  Mr. KEAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor students Srikrishna 
Dowlapalli, Avneet Singh, Kush Dave, and Aaron Persky of Bridgewater-
Raritan High School. I applaud their work in expanding awareness for 
early lung cancer screening as New Jersey's first high school chapter 
of the American Lung Cancer Screening Initiative (ALCSI).
  As President and founder of the chapter, Srikrishna authored S4042/
A5028, the First Responders and Veterans Lung Cancer Screening Access 
Act. The bill aims to create a free education and referral program 
informing our most vulnerable citizens about their eligibility for low 
dose CT lung cancer screening--a test proven to reduce lung cancer 
mortality by 20 percent when caught early.
  This once student project is now before the New Jersey Legislature 
with 10 bipartisan sponsors, the endorsement of the Professional 
Firefighters Association of New Jersey, and the support of the New 
Jersey State Fraternal Order of Police.
  Srikrishna has also taken his vision globally. Working with the 
Rwanda Biomedical Centre to help establish their first lung cancer 
screening program. Under the mentorship of Dr. Pax Karamage of the 
Center's Public Health Surveillance and Emergency Preparedness 
Division, these students have built a comprehensive partnership that 
now includes the U.S. Embassy in Kigali's Economic and Commercial 
Section.
  The members of Bridgewater-Raritan High School's Chapter of ALCSI 
have exhibited tremendous effort on behalf of first responders, 
veterans, and victims of lung cancer worldwide. As a former volunteer 
firefighter myself, I am honored to celebrate the accomplishments of 
these dedicated individuals. I sincerely wish them continued success in 
their exemplary service.

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