December 17, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 204 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Page H10603]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           HONORING PETE FRATES: DO NOT BE AFRAID TO BE GREAT

  (Mr. LAMB asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. LAMB. Mr. Speaker, I echo the comments of my colleague from 
Massachusetts, Mr. Moulton.
  On December 9, the United States lost a great hero. Peter Frates once 
crushed a home run into the bullpen at Fenway in Boston's Beanpot 
Championship for his BC Eagles.
  But Pete will be remembered for another reason: ALS would go on to 
rob him of his physical gifts, but not his spiritual ones. Pete simply 
refused to give up.
  He helped launch the Ice Bucket Challenge, which raised more than 
$220 million. These funds have already begun to change the world for 
ALS patients. They helped find a new gene that may open pathways to 
treatment.
  It is said that, in the Bible, God breaks through to humanity 366 
times to say, ``Do not be afraid,'' once for every day and once more in 
case we just didn't get it.
  In the Christmas season, we are reminded that God sent his most 
precious gift to this planet for such a short time. We don't know why, 
but we do know that he invites others to carry the message.
  Pete was known for telling others, ``Do not be afraid to be great.''
  I cannot think of better words to close out the year of our Lord 2019 
or a better man for us all to honor.

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