[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 13]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 18464]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           COMMEMORATING THE THIRD ANNUAL NATION'S TRIATHLON

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN A. YARMUTH

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 10, 2008

  Mr. YARMUTH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the third annual 
Nation's Triathlon, which will take place this Sunday in Washington, 
DC. As with any triathlon, this competition will be a rigorous personal 
test of endurance, dedication, strength, and skill in biking, running, 
and swimming. In this case however, the competitors demonstrate a 
devotion to a greater cause than personal accomplishment. By partnering 
with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, they are working to defeat 
blood cancer.
  I am proud to say that three Louisvillians--Katie Anderson, Amanda 
Moore, and Chad Queen--and three more Kentuckians--Ruth Adams, Jennifer 
Watson, and James Pelfrey--will be competing in the triathlon this 
weekend, and three more--Shelley Gast, Anthony Miller, and Scott 
Clark--are training and coaching the athletes in this worthy event.
  With more than a million and a half individuals annually diagnosed 
with cancer, and more than half a million Americans dying from the 
disease each year, virtually everyone of us has been touched by cancer 
in some way. The good news is, here in the United States, some of the 
world's most brilliant and innovative scientists are hard at work 
developing new treatments and uncovering the mysteries that will 
someday lead us to a cure. In fact, researchers at the University of 
Louisville, in my district, recently developed a vaccine that will 
prevent cervical cancer and potentially save the lives of thousands of 
women each year.
  But to achieve their objectives, researchers need resources and 
attention. And that's just what the Nation's Triathlon will do by using 
the incredible talents of the participating athletes to raise awareness 
and funds.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in celebrating these athletes who, 
this weekend, will strive to complete a grueling personal challenge and 
also defeat our common foe. Together, we will work to create a future 
that has no room for cancer.

                          ____________________