TRANSCRIPT:
[Page H2305]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
IN HONOR OF MITCHELL DEE JONES
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Utah
(Mr. Matheson) for 5 minutes.
Mr. MATHESON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of an
inspirational young man from my district. Mitchell Dee Jones from
Herriman, Utah, passed away on March 2 of this year after a lifelong
battle with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Mitch was a beloved son, brother, friend, and Latter-day Saint. He
lived life to the fullest and loved others selflessly. In the very best
ways, Mitch was a typical 10-year-old boy playing board games, building
with Legos, four-wheeling, camping, and enjoying the outdoors in Utah
with his family. His sense of humor, of adventure, and of devotion to
his family touched thousands. Both in his life and in his passing,
Mitch's dignity and gentleness, strength of spirit, and quiet resolve
reveal his exceptional character.
I hope you will join me today in honoring the life of this very
special young man who brought others together, who touched lives in a
profound way, and who inspired us all.
Mitch's parents, Chris and Natalie Jones, have humbly shared their
family's journey with our community in Utah and with countless others
around the world. They opened their lives and Mitch's story so they
might serve others, bringing an important awareness and a better
understanding of their son's condition and that of others with Duchenne
muscular dystrophy.
I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to learn more about
Mitch's story and about Duchenne muscular dystrophy by following his
father's Facebook journal called ``Mitchell's Journey.''
This coming Monday, on April 29, the city of Herriman, Utah, will
honor Mitch's life with the recognition of Mitchell Jones Day. Here in
our Nation's Capital, we can join together to do the same by
familiarizing ourselves with the disease that ultimately took Mitch's
life.
Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a genetic muscular disorder that most
often affects young boys and is characterized by a progressive muscle
weakness and degeneration. It is typically diagnosed early in life and
is usually fatal in the late teens or early twenties. For some, like
Mitch, the disease progresses quickly and affects the voluntary muscles
of limbs and torso and eventually the involuntary muscle function of
the heart and lungs.
As legislators, it is stories like Mitch's that should remind us of
the magnitude of our decisions about time and resources. The course we
chart for our country is real for families like the Joneses in every
congressional district. I believe as a country we have endless
potential to improve outcomes of Duchenne muscular dystrophy and so
many other diseases that our children face; and I think this should be
a bipartisan effort.
As we work in service of our constituents, I hope we will all reflect
on the Joneses in Herriman, Utah, and the priorities of real American
families. These are citizens who inspire us to work harder, to do
better, to solve problems, and to make a difference.
Mitch's legacy is one of love and compassion of an inspiring young
man who faced every challenge with bravery and faith. Here in Congress
we should strive to live and serve in the same way.
https://www.c-span.org/video/?c4449389/mitchells-journey
https://www.congress.gov/congressional-record/2013/4/25/house-section/article/H2305-2
