[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 695 Engrossed in House (EH)]
In the House of Representatives, U.S.,
July 22, 2004.
Whereas Mattie Stepanek was born on July 17, 1990, and was raised in Rockville,
Maryland;
Whereas Mattie Stepanek had mitochondrial myopathy, a rare form of muscular
dystrophy that affects heart rate, breathing, and digestion;
Whereas in 2002, 2003, and 2004, Mattie Stepanek served as the National Goodwill
Ambassador for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), appearing with
MDA National Chairman Jerry Lewis on the MDA Labor Day Telethon;
Whereas Mattie Stepanek was able to fulfill three of his dreams by publishing a
book of poetry, meeting his hero, former President Jimmy Carter, and
meeting Oprah Winfrey;
Whereas Mattie Stepanek has written five books of poetry, including Heartsongs,
Journey Through Heartsongs, Hope Through Heartsongs, Celebrate Through
Heartsongs, and Loving Through Heartsongs;
Whereas the poetry books written by Mattie Stepanek have sold more than 500,000
copies;
Whereas by the age of 13, Mattie Stepanek reached an 11th grade education level
through home schooling; and
Whereas on June 22, 2004, Mattie Stepanek lost his fight with muscular dystrophy
at Children's National Medical Center in Washington, District of
Columbia: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) expresses its condolences to the family and friends of Mattie
Stepanek on his passing; and
(2) honors the life of Mattie Stepanek for his braveness, generosity
of spirit, and efforts to raise awareness of muscular dystrophy.
Attest:
Clerk.