Carolyn Maloney

Mrs. MALONEY

Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to one of the most incredible women I have ever known; and to mourn her premature death. On December 4, Elizabeth Glaser's life was cut short by complications from the AIDS virus. Infected from a blood transfusion, Elizabeth dedicated the last years of her life to heightening our awareness of this horrible disease. Elizabeth inspired us all when she spoke at the 1992 Democratic national convention about her experiences. In a speech which moved all those who saw it, she pleaded with the world not to forget about the youngest victims of AIDS, including her two children. Struck by the lack of attention to children affected by the HIV virus, Elizabeth helped found the Pediatric AIDS Foundation. Dedicated to the memory of her first daughter Ariel, this foundation raised millions of dollars for pediatric AIDS research, and has provided support to dozens of children and families affected by the disease. But more than anything, Elizabeth taught us that life's joy does not have to end, even under the most horrible of circumstances. Try as it might, AIDS never robbed Elizabeth of love for life, nor her desire to help those in need. Speaking about her daughter, Elizabeth once said, ``She taught me to love when all I wanted to do was hate. She taught me to help others when all I wanted to do was help myself.'' Mr. Speaker, I would ask that my fellow colleagues not forget the lessons of Elizabeth Glaser, and to join me in sending our deepest condolences to her husband Paul and son Jake. We have a responsibility to fight this horrible disease on all fronts, and to never abandon its victims. Elizabeth Glaser helped us realize this fact, and now it is our job to carry her legacy forward.