[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Page 16754]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



    TRIBUTE TO RICHARD CYR--JACQUELINE KENNEDY ONASSIS AWARD WINNER

 Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. Mr. President, I rise today to pay 
tribute to Richard Cyr upon receiving the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis 
Award for outstanding public service.
  In a time where random acts of kindness seem to be waning, Richard 
has proven that kind souls are still in abundance. He has established 
one of the most important volunteer efforts in the state, if not the 
country. Richard formed David's House, a program for the parents of 
sick children that provides much-needed support and love during 
critical times of treatment programs. It is this tireless dedication to 
helping others that garnered Richard a national award for this efforts.
  Richard understood how difficult it was for families of sick children 
to remain close to their loved ones without having to add hotel costs 
to the growing number of bills. He was in the same situation himself 
when his foster child, David, became ill with acute lymphocytic 
leukemia. Richard spent countless nights sleeping in his car or in the 
hospital lobby to be closer to his child. After David's death, he 
decided that a safe refuge for families was necessary during illness.
  David's House gives parents the ability to concentrate on their 
children without worrying about where to sleep, eat or shower during 
hospital visits. The House is staffed entirely by volunteers and 
receives donations from private sources. After fifteen years of 
operation, David's House has assisted hundreds of families and eased 
the pain of coping with illness. Such stability and growth is a 
testament of the true importance and need for institutions like David's 
House.
  Richard's dedication to helping others in a grave time of need is 
truly inspirational. It is an honor to represent him in the United 
States Senate.

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