February 14, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 29 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E181]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING CHARLES BALDINGER

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JIM COOPER

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 14, 2019

  Mr. COOPER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the late Charles 
Baldinger of Nashville, Tennessee.
  While attending the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Charlie was 
diagnosed with anaplastic astrocytoma--a rare Stage 3 malignant brain 
tumor. He found the bad news after a near-fatal accident. As a cadet, 
Charlie fell 20 feet during a rope-free bouldering set. The fall 
resulted in a trip to the hospital where it was discovered that he had 
a brain tumor.
  Nevertheless, Charlie graduated from West Point, was commissioned as 
an Infantry Officer, but then was forced to medically retire. Yet he 
kept learning and kept excelling. Charlie earned his master's degree 
from Lipscomb University. Charlie began treatments while at Lipscomb 
and allowed its College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences to use his body 
for research. He underwent test treatments that allowed data to be 
gathered for the purpose of better understanding how to treat cancer. 
Even during his illness, Charlie continued his service to others.
  Charlie passed away peacefully on January 6, 2019. He was a brother, 
son, grandson, husband, and friend, who will always be remembered by 
his loved ones.

                          ____________________