[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 18]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 24087]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     PAYING TRIBUTE TO RICK HANSON

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SCOTT McINNIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 17, 2004

  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Rick Hanson, a 
strong-willed individual who has persevered through near insurmountable 
physical challenges and provides inspiration to his fellow citizens. I 
am proud to stand here with my colleagues before this body of Congress 
and this Nation and recognize his triumph of will, and strength of 
conviction.
  During Rick's early teens, it was discovered he had a brain tumor. 
Rick's condition continued to worsen, and doctors and family members 
feared he would not pull through. Eventually, Rick was diagnosed with a 
rare condition of adrenal insufficiency, and his hormone and 
hydrocortisone treatments have helped him finally turn the corner. 
After twenty-five years of illness, at age forty-three, Rick on the 
road to recovery, is taking therapeutic horseback riding lessons, a 
pastime that he enjoyed as a child growing up in Arkansas.
  Mr. Speaker, Rick Hanson's unrelenting will and sheer determination 
has helped him to stave off illness in the face of the gravest of 
circumstances. His story of improvement is an inspiration to us all, 
and I am honored by the opportunity to recognize his accomplishments 
before this body of Congress and this Nation.

                          ____________________