[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 16957]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   PAYING TRIBUTE TO BREANN BLACKMAN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SCOTT McINNIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 21, 2004

  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a smart, 
happy, and beautiful seven-year old, Breann Blackman, who brightens the 
lives of her family and her Grand Junction, Colorado community. Despite 
the many challenges she has faced she maintains a healthy and happy 
attitude towards life. I am proud to join my colleagues here today 
before this body of Congress and this nation in recognizing her 
tremendous caring and fun-loving nature in the face of great adversity.
  When Breann was three-months old she was diagnosed with infantile 
scoliosis. The disease produces a severe twisting of the spine, which 
causes her to spend twenty-three hours of the day in a brace that 
encases her torso from the hips up to her armpits and has an attachment 
for neck and head support. The brace comes off for half an hour 
stretching exercises at recess and half an hour to take a bath. She 
attends swim therapy at St. Mary's Life Center and does breathing 
exercises four times a day with a Bi-pap breathing machine. In addition 
to these daily aspects of her life, she and her brother Jordan 
experienced the loss of both their mother and father to tragic 
circumstances and now live under the custody of their grandparents 
Lilian and Gene.
  Mr. Speaker, Breann Blackman has surpassed many obstacles in her 
life, and I am honored to recognize her strength and vitality before 
this body and this nation today. Thank you, Breann, for improving the 
lives of the people around you, and I wish you all the best in your 
future endeavors.

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