To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 601 8th Street in Freedom, Pennsylvania, as the "John Scott Challis, Jr. Post Office".

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill to rename the Freedom Post Office honor of John Scott Challis, Jr.

John Challis inspired all of us with his determination to live every single day to the fullest. On June 23, 2006, John was diagnosed with liver cancer. He was only 16 and had just completed sophomore year at Freedom High School.

John and his family had a lot of questions after the cancer diagnosis: questions for the doctors about the disease, his treatment, and how it would impact his life. But, in these most difficult of circumstances, John found answers.

In a Pittsburgh Post Gazette article from May 2008, John's father, Scott Challis, recalls this time: ``He's always been one who had to try and find an answer for everything. He wants to figure things out.'' The article continues, ``Through his own thoughts and through his deep Catholic beliefs, John believes he has `figured it out.' When asked where he gained his wisdom, he answered, `Through cancer.' ''

Despite his illness, John made the most of every day he had. Although he was too ill to play sports, Freedom baseball coach Steve Wetzel invited John to join the team and became one of John's closest friends.

In battling cancer, John had come up with a message: ``Courage Plus Believe Equals Life.'' It was a message that along with his name, he inscribed on the inside of his baseball cap. His teammates followed suit.

Then came the moment John had been waiting for, his opportunity to play. Coach Wetzel asked John to pinch-hit in a game against Aliquippa. John wasted no time. On the first pitch, John hit a single to right field that scored a run.

After the game, John's story and message garnered national attention. He was featured on ESPN, invited to speak at a Pirates game, and watched the Penguins in their Stanley Cup playoff run.

Unfortunately, John lost this battle to cancer on August 19, 2008. But he left us with an important legacy. In his last few months, John was quoted as saying, ``Life ain't about how many breaths you take. It's what you do with those breaths.''

John was an inspiration to me, to his local community, and to the lives he touched. He will always be remembered.

However, even after his death, his inspiration and work continue. Last summer, John helped to start a foundation, the Courage for Life Foundation, to help other student athletes with life-threatening illnesses be involved in sporting events.

I have a few articles about John's life and his impact on those he touched. I ask unanimous consent to enter them into the Record.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Chairman Towns, for the opportunity to honor John Challis.

[From the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, May 4, 2008]

Teen Is Running Out of Innings, But the Game Still Isn't Over

(By Mike White)

The 18-year-old kid dying of cancer gets his wish, a chance

to swing a bat maybe one last time in a real baseball game.

He hasn't played in a few years, but he's called on to

pinch-hit. His eyes light up at the first pitch and he puts

all of his 5-foot-5, 93-pound frame into one mighty swing,

making contact and sending a line drive into right field for

a single--if he can reach first base. The cancer he's been

battling for almost two years has spread to his pelvis,

making running nearly impossible.

The kid worries about falling as he hustles down the first-

base line. When he gets to the base, he lets out with a yell.

``I did it! I did it!''

Safe at first with a hit and an RBI, the kid is hugged by a

crying first-base coach. The opposing pitcher takes off his

glove, starts applauding and his teammates follow suit. The

kid's teammates run onto the field to celebrate.

It sounds like the climax to a heart-tugger movie. But

there was no producer or film crew at the game between

Freedom and Aliquippa high schools two weeks ago. The scene

was as real as the tumors in John Challis' liver and lungs.

John is a kid with cancer, a senior at Freedom in Beaver

County who was told a few weeks ago by doctors that cancer

was winning and it was close to the end. The disease that

started in his liver was now taking over his lungs.

``They said it could be only two months,'' he said,

fighting back tears.

He paused before his seemingly never-ending optimism came

through again.

``I told my mom I still think I can get two more years.''

But his story isn't about dying. It's about inspiring.

His story, words, actions, beliefs and courage have become

known around Freedom and surrounding areas in Beaver County,

bringing people together from other communities and other

schools.

Three weeks ago, Freedom baseball coach Steve Wetzel

organized ``Walk For A Champion'' on Freedom High's school

grounds. The purpose of the walk-a-thon was to raise money

for one of John's wishes--a last vacation with his mom, dad

and 14-year-old sister, Alexis.

More than 500 people took part, including baseball teams

from eight Beaver County high schools and members of Center

High School's football team. John also used to play football

at Freedom.

Mr. Wetzel, who calls the teen his hero, hoped to raise

$6,000. That total was easily surpassed ``and people are

still calling with donations,'' he said.

The family has booked a cruise for June.

The Challis effect

A Beaver County church had planned a fundraiser, but John

and his family asked the church instead to conduct the event

and give the money to a fifth-grade boy in Beaver County who

has a brain tumor.

``His family can use it more than we can,'' John said.

``That's just common sense. Someone does something good for

you, then you help someone else.''

Actions and statements like those are what has inspired so

many others. All of Aliquippa's baseball players wear John's

jersey number ``11'' on their hats. At the walk-

athon, Aliquippa star athlete Jonathan Baldwin, a Pitt

football recruit, presented him with a ball signed by Pitt

players.

After the walk, John addressed the crowd.

``He spoke from his heart,'' Mr. Wetzel, the coach, said.

``He said, `I've got two options. I know I'm going to die, so

I can either sit at home and feel sorry, or I could spread my

message to everybody to live life to the fullest and help

those in need.' After hearing that, I don't know if there

were many people not crying.''

Last Thursday, Beaver pitcher Manny Cutlip tossed a three-

hitter against Freedom as John watched in street clothes.

After the game, every Beaver player came up to him and shook

his hand. Some hugged him and some said they were praying for

him. Manny Cutlip asked Mr. Wetzel if he could go to lunch

some time with John. It happened the next day.

``I don't know what to say. I just wanted to get to know

him better and see if I could learn anything from him to help

me in my life,'' said the young pitcher, an imposing 6-foot-

3, 225-pound standout athlete who will play football at IUP.

At lunch, he gave John a new football with a handwritten

personal message on it. Part of the message read, ``You have

touched my heart and I will always look up to you as my role

model.''

Talk to John and you'll laugh at his sense of humor when he

says things such as, ``You can't let girls know that you know

how to text message because they won't leave you alone.''

But listen to his mature views on life and his philosophies

. . . and you might cry.

``I used to be afraid, but I'm not afraid of dying now, if

that's what you want to know,'' he said. ``Because life ain't

about how many breaths you take. It's what you do with those

breaths.''

Figuring it out

It's been almost two years since John found out about his

cancer. He knows the date like a birthday. June 23, 2006.

He discovered only recently that doctors didn't expect him

to last through that first summer. ``To me, that's already an

accomplishment,'' he said.

In the first few months after the cancer discovery, John's

father, Scott, would get up in the middle of the night, peek

into his son's bedroom and see him wide awake, staring at the

ceiling.

``He would just be thinking,'' the elder Challis said.

``He's always been one who had to try and find an answer for

everything. He wants to figure things out.''

Through his own thoughts and through his deep Catholic

beliefs, John believes he has ``figured it out.'' He answers

questions with maturity, courage and dignity, traits that

have become his trademarks.

John requested that his mother, Regina, not be interviewed

for this story because it will be too hard for her. He talks

to his father about what to do after he dies.

``I sit up with him at night until 1 or 2 in the morning,''

Scott Challis said. ``He'll tell me, `Dad, when I'm gone, you

have to do this or that. You have to watch your weight.' He's

worried about my weight. He tells me I have to take care of

mom.

``When the doctors told him a few weeks ago about how the

cancer was winning, he had a lot of questions about what it

was going to be like and about being comfortable. Later on,

he broke down with me and you know what he did? He

apologized. He was upset because he felt like he was letting

everyone down who had been praying for him.''

Scott Challis has found talking about his son makes the

situation easier to deal with. But many people like to talk

about John. Shawn Lehocky is a senior and one of Freedom's

top athletes. For every football and baseball game, he wears

a red wrist band with John's No. 11 on it.

``It seems like everyone in this community knows who he is

now and he really has brought so many people together,''

Shawn said. ``He's always on my mind. To see him and what

he's going through, I don't know if I could act like that. He

said some pretty strong words at that walk-a-thon that you

don't hear 17- or 18-year-olds say every day.''

John fought back tears a few times during last week's

interview.

``Sometimes I cry, but people cry for all different kinds

of reasons,'' he said. ``Sometimes I just want to know why,

but I think I figured that out. God wanted me to get sick

because he knew I was strong enough to handle it. I'm

spreading His word and my message. By doing that, I'm doing

what God put me here to do.

``It took me about a half year to figure all that out. Now,

when I'm able to truly believe it, it makes it easier on me.

And when you know other people support what you're thinking,

it makes it easier.''

When asked where he gained his wisdom, he answered,

``Through cancer.''

``They say it takes a special person to realize this kind

of stuff,'' he said. ``I don't know if I'm special, but it

wasn't hard for me. It's just my mind-set. A situation is

what you make of it. Not what it makes of you.''

He regularly wears his Freedom baseball hat. Under the bill

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 987) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 601 8th Street in Freedom, Pennsylvania, as the ``John Scott Challis, Jr. Post Office''.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks.

I now yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support for the consideration of H.R. 987, a bill to designate the United States postal facility located at 601 8th Street in Freedom, Pennsylvania, as the John Scott Challis, Jr. Post Office.

Introduced by Representative Jason Altmire on February 11, 2009, and reported out of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee on March 10, 2009, by a voice vote, H.R. 987 enjoys the support of the entire Pennsylvania House delegation.

As recently noted in the Ellwood City Ledger, John Scott Challis, Jr., ``came into this world fighting.'' Only 2 days after his birth on December 16, 1989, John was helicoptered from The Medical Center in Beaver County to Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh, where he spent 16 days in hospital care and received lifesaving surgery.

As his beloved family and friends in Beaver County, and as many of us across the Nation well know, John never stopped fighting throughout his young life, even after being diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma, an adult form of liver cancer, at the age of 16. John's response to his initial diagnosis was indicative of his eternal determination and resolve, as well as a reflection of his own personal motto of ``courage and believe equals life.''

In April of 2008, John learned that his cancer had spread and that, most likely, he had only a few months to live. Nevertheless, John never ceased to live his life to the fullest and do what he loved most, which was spending time with his family and friends and playing and following the game of baseball.

On April 14, 2008, John first received national attention when he was able to pinch-hit for his beloved Freedom High School baseball team in a game against Aliquippa High. John cracked the first-pitch fastball into the outfield for an RBI single, and upon making it to first base proudly exclaimed to everyone, ``I did it, I did it.''

The following month, John graduated with his senior class. And in June of last year, John was able to take a family vacation with his devoted parents, Scott and Gina, and his younger sister, Lexie. He also visited the Pittsburgh Pirates Clubhouse and reminded the players to cherish the game of baseball and, of course, to cherish life.

Regrettably, John lost his battle with cancer in August of 2008. However, his memory and inspirational message will never be forgotten. In John's honor, the John Challis Courage For Life Foundation was established in 2008. The organization is dedicated to providing sports opportunities to student athletes with life-threatening illnesses.

Mr. Speaker, it is my hope that we can further serve to honor John's life through the passage of this legislation before us. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 987.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, before closing, I would like to mention that the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Altmire) who is the chief sponsor, the lead sponsor of the bill under consideration, has informed me that he is en route. He has informed us that he regrets not being able to be here for this afternoon's discussion but has asked that his support for the bill and the Challis family be known.

In closing, I urge my colleagues to join myself, Representative Altmire and the gentleman from California in supporting H.R. 987.

I yield back the balance of our time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of designating the facility of the United States Postal Service at 601 8th Street in Freedom, Pennsylvania, the John Scott Challis, Jr., Post Office.

And I particularly agree with the gentleman from Massachusetts and share his belief that courage plus believe equals life. This simple but profound equation is more than an inspirational quote. It's a testament to the character and the life of its creator, John Challis. Born in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, John's life was too short, but not without meaning.

Mr. Speaker, often we name post offices after individuals who have lived a long and significant life, sometimes former Members of Congress, Presidents and the like. Today we are naming after someone whose life was cut off altogether too soon. In fact, after only 18 years, it is unusual that we would name a post office after somebody, but John went that extra mile to inspire America, reaching national prominence because, in fact, he would not quit, defying the odds by standing on a baseball field when most would be too weak to get out of bed and making the decision that he was going to live his every dream as best he could.

John did that, and his life will be an inspiration for as long as that plaque shall be at the post office. Today we honor that.

Mr. Speaker, I have been up here for many, many postal namings, and once in a while I get comments from back home saying ``why do you spend so much time naming post offices?'' And I guess the short answer is, Mr. Speaker, because we can.

But also, the longer answer is because we have so many examples of people like John Challis who, in fact, exemplify all that is good in America. All that gives us hope for the future, all that, in fact, allows us every day to know that through these troubled times, these economic problems, the recession that's before America today, that there are people who get up every morning, no matter how hard it is, and they do the best they can with the time that God gives them and with the power that they have.

John was, in every sense, a survivor, and he is survived by his parents and a younger sister who live on in his memory and who, in fact, will, for the time that this post office is in their town, realize that inspirations are important to America, particularly in difficult times.

So I join with the majority today asking that this unusual naming of a post office be passed because John's life was so special to America, and because, at a time like this, inspiration is important to all.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, unfortunately, I was unable to be present in the Capitol on Monday, March 16, 2009 and therefore unable to cast votes on the House Floor that evening.

However, had I been present I would have voted yea on H.R. 1284, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 103 West Main Street in McLain, Mississippi, as the ``Major Ed W. Freeman Post Office''; yea on H.R. 1217, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 15455 Manchester Road in Ballwin, Missouri, as the ``Specialist Peter J. Navarro Post Office Building''; and yea on H.R. 987, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 601 8th Street in Freedom, Pennsylvania, as the ``John Scott Challis, Jr. Post Office.''

In addition, on Wednesday, March 18, 2009, I was attending a meeting with President Obama at the White House with many of my colleagues in the Congressional Hispanic Caucus when votes were called. Unable to return to the Capitol in a timely fashion, I missed two votes. However, had I been present, I would have voted yea on ordering the previous question on H. Res. 250, to provide for the consideration of the bill (H.R. 1388), to reauthorize and reform the national service laws; and I would have voted aye on H. Res. 250, to provide for the consideration of the bill (H.R. 1388), to reauthorize and reform the national service laws.

Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, today, March 16th, I was detained in my district and therefore missed the three rollcall votes of the day. Had I been present I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall vote No. 125 on agreeing to the resolution H.R. 987--to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 601 8th Street in Freedom, Pennsylvania, as the ``John Scott Challis, Jr. Post Office''. Had I been present I would have also voted ``yea'' on rollcall vote No. 126 on agreeing to the resolution H.R. 1217--to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 15455 Manchester Road in Ballwin, Missouri, as the ``Specialist Peter J. Navarro Post Office Building.'' Lastly, had I been present I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall vote No. 127 on agreeing to the resolution H.R. 1284--to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 103 West Main Street in McLain, Mississippi, as the ``Major Ed W. Freeman Post Office.''