Chellie Pingree

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize National Ostomy Awareness Day, which will be observed on Saturday, October 3, 2026.

An ostomy can be a difficult and deeply personal journey, but for many individuals, it is also a second chance at life. Ostomy surgery can provide a path forward for people facing serious illnesses and conditions, including colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, traumatic injuries because of domestic abuse or military engagement, and any other number of medical challenges. These procedures can be lifesaving and life-restoring, allowing individuals to return to their families, their workplaces, their communities, and the activities they love.

Yet too often, people living with an ostomy face misunderstanding, stigma, and unnecessary barriers. Ostomy Awareness Day provides an important opportunity to educate the public, dispel misconceptions, and remind us that an ostomy does not define a person or diminish the quality of a life.

In Maine, approximately 3,400 people are living with an ostomy. They are our neighbors, friends, family members, coworkers, veterans, caregivers, students, and community leaders. Their experiences demonstrate the strength and resilience of people who have overcome significant medical challenges and continue to live full and meaningful lives. Additionally, the United Ostomy Associations of America (UOAA) is based in my home state. Established in 2005, UOAA's mission is to promote quality of life for people with ostomies and continent diversions through information, support, advocacy, and collaboration. UOAA also has 260+ Affiliated Support Groups across the United States. Between 725,000 and 1 million Americans are living with an ostomy.

I also want to recognize the families, caregivers, physicians, nurses, certified ostomy nurse specialists, and other health care professionals who provide essential care and support to those living with an ostomy. Their compassion and expertise make an enormous difference in helping patients adjust to life after surgery and thrive.

This year's Ostomy Awareness Day theme, ``One Community--Stronger Together,'' is a fitting reminder that no one should have to navigate life with an ostomy alone. Awareness, education, peer support, and access to quality care can help ensure that every person who needs an ostomy has the resources and support necessary to live with confidence and dignity.

On Ostomy Awareness Day, we celebrate the resilience of the ostomy community and recognize the medical advances and dedicated professionals that have made these life-saving surgeries possible. Most importantly, we affirm that an ostomy is not the end of a person's story--it can be the beginning of a healthier and more hopeful chapter.

I am proud to stand with the Maine ostomy community and with ostomy communities across our Nation. I encourage my colleagues and all Americans to join me in raising awareness, breaking down stigma, and celebrating those whose lives have been saved and restored through ostomy surgery.

I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing October 3, 2026, as Ostomy Awareness Day.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the lives of Sandy and Ole Jaeger. Sandy and Ole met in Denmark in 1960 and were married for 65 years, many of which they spent in their home in Georgetown, Maine. They both passed away this year at the age of 90.

One of my favorite parts of serving as a Member of Congress is hearing from my constituents. It is fair to say Sandy and Ole were some of my most engaged constituents in Maine's 1st District. They believed more than anything in the importance of speaking up for the changes you want to see in local, state, and federal government.

I met Sandy and Ole when they volunteered for my campaign when I ran for Senate in 2002. Over the years, they have contacted me and other legislators, made phone calls, and written hundreds of letters to the editor on countless issues. Most recently, Sandy and Ole shared their own experiences in order to stand up for the rights and dignity of Maine's elderly population.

Sandy and Ole never stopped advocating for the causes they believed in and gave their time and support to local organizations including Boy Scouts, Association of Special Children and Families, AARP, Natural Resources Council of Maine, Age Friendly Georgetown, and the Maine Coalition to Fight Prostate Cancer. They dedicated their lives to making Maine communities more vibrant and connected.

Sandy wrote to me in March of this year through her work with the Coalition to Fight Prostate Cancer. She added at the end of the note, ``P.S. Ole died in September. We were married for 65 years and loved it all.'' Maine is better off thanks to the tireless advocacy and bountiful love of Sandy and Ole.

We are so grateful for their activism and the compassionate and giving lives they led in our state. I extend my deepest condolences to their family, including their children, Eric, Carl, Joseph, and Anna Sofia.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the leadership of Mary Rich as the Deputy Chief of New Gloucester Rescue. Across more than 32 years of dedicated public service, Mary has played a vital role in the success of the department and the safety of New Gloucester residents.

Mary began her career as an Advanced Emergency Medical Technician, rising over time to Deputy Chief. She has overseen tremendous change during her tenure--including the merging of the Fire and Rescue Departments, the launch of a new ambulance transport service, and the expansion of per diem staffing to provide 24/7 EMS coverage. The growth of the department would not have been possible without Mary's steadfast determination and tireless advocacy on behalf of the Rescue team and broader New Gloucester community.

In 2025, she was honored with the New Gloucester Chief's Award of Emergency Medical Services for her leadership, and her family has proudly carried on her legacy of public service. Her daughter Molly Fitzgerald and her son-in-law Hale Fitzgerald have also served on the Rescue team. Mary's years of contributions to the department have left New Gloucester a safer community, better equipped to respond to and prevent emergencies.

I commend Mary for an outstanding career dedicated to protecting public safety. I wish her the best of luck in her next chapter.