Choosing Life

Floor Speech

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Mr. BEAN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, this is a great week to honor life, but what about the secret to life? Most people spend their whole lives chasing the secret to life, but Chris Bryan figured it out early: Family, community, and caring about others.

I rise today to honor the meaningful life of Christina ``Chris'' Bryan. If you called her Christina, then you were a salesman from out of town. A true friend and long-time mentor of mine, Chris Bryan was a shining example of everything wonderful about northeast Florida. Throughout her life, she wholeheartedly invested in her family and friends and embodied the virtues of service, grit, determination, and generosity.

Born and raised in Fernandina Beach, Chris was a pillar of our community for the better part of a century. Chris dedicated her life to service. She was a key member of so many community organizations, including the Gator Booster Board of Directors, the YMCA, the Baptist Medical Center Nassau Board, the Fernandina Beach High School Foundation, the Nassau County Council on Aging. Chris was also involved heavily at the Memorial United Methodist Church.

Just speaking from experience, Mr. Speaker--you may know this--I do charity auctions and have done a ton. One of my secrets to raising a lot of money was having Chris and the Bryan family in the audience because I knew if she and they were there, it was going to be a big night for the charity because of her unmatched generosity.

Although she made countless contributions to these organizations, many as a founder, her true legacy is the beautiful family she leaves behind. She is survived by her loving husband of 53 years, Bill Bryan; their daughters, Amy and Ginny; Ginny's husband, Heyward; and their grandchildren, Heyward and Liz. I am told they had a wonderful Christmas Eve this year. She and Bill cooked and spent the evening listening to her family talking about what was going on in their lives and letting her family know how much they were loved and cared for.

We knew she was sick, but she was so positive in her treatment that few knew just how sick she was. She passed away peacefully at the age of 78, and I am devastated about her passing. Chris put her family and her community and friends first. She forged strong bonds with those around her, and that is the reason why it is so hard to say good-bye. I count myself blessed and lucky to have called her a friend. I take heart in knowing that she is in a much better place, suffering no more.

Revelation 21:4 says:

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more. Neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the radiant life of Chris Bryan.

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