[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 16226]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                         HONORING DIANE HARDEN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SCOTT McINNIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, August 2, 2001

  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, often times we do not fully appreciate what 
we have until it's gone. Life is no exception. As Diane Harden suffered 
from a serious form of heart disease, she was faced with the challenge 
of losing her heart. Her life was in limbo and every day she was alive 
it was a blessing.
  This experience of possibly loosing her life led Diane to gain a new 
perspective. While her name was placed on a waiting list for nearly 3 
months for a donor transplant, finally an organ donor was found to 
replace Diane's heart. An eighteen year old, under organ donor status, 
was able to assist Diane and eight others in the pursuit of a healthy 
life. With only a few bouts of minor rejections, she has fought 
strongly for her life and lives every moment to the fullest extent. 
Today, 14 years after the operation, she lives every day with a renewed 
sense of hope.
  Diane now takes care of herself and her husband, who suffers from a 
disease that attacks the spinal chord. Throughout the couple's 31 years 
of marriage, they have grown together as they have both faced trying 
experiences with their health. At a time of celebration for her 50th 
birthday, Diane and seventy-six others gathered to honor her fourteen 
years of surviving an organ transplant.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to extend my warmest regard and best wishes 
to Diane Harden and her husband. My prayers are with them for their 
continued health and renewed hopes.

                          ____________________