HR 435

HR435 193420-2 By Representatives Weaver and Fridy RFD: First Read: 15-MAR-18 193420-2:n:03/15/2018:Weaver/mw MOURNING THE DEATH OF ELAINE ROBERTS. WHEREAS, it is with profound sorrow that we note the death on February 6, 2016, of Elaine Roberts, at the tender age of 16 years; and WHEREAS, Elaine was a child full of joy who was able to partake of numerous experiences and activities during her brief life, including the study of piano for a period of 11 years, yielding the opportunity to participate in music festivals put on by the Pelham School of Fine Arts, earning her superior evaluation ratings during each year of her participation; and WHEREAS, she cheered for youth cheerleading programs in both Helena and Alabaster, Alabama, for six years; and WHEREAS, she was an active member of the Pelham YMCA Swim Team for a period of four years, in which her favorite pool to swim was the Olympic-size pool located in the James E. Martin Aquatics Center at Auburn University and her favorite swimming form was the breast stroke; and WHEREAS, Elaine joined Alabaster Girl Scout Troop 993 during elementary school, partaking of all that the organization had to offer, including camping, canoeing, horseback riding, selling the organization's world famous cookies, and visiting numerous sites and locations while affiliated with the group, most notably Savannah, Georgia, the place where the Girl Scouts of America was founded; and WHEREAS, she was a lover of animals and would provide refuge to as many animals as she was allowed to have, and during her life owned a fish, hermit crabs, guinea pigs, hamsters, cats, and dogs, and leaves behind one goldfish, Flipper, that she won at the Shelby County Fair eight years prior to her untimely death, as well as her three beloved dogs Pretzell, Teddy, and Lucy; and WHEREAS, in the fall of 2014, Elaine was preparing for the 2015 tennis season at Thompson High School, when she was diagnosed with Alveoler Rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare form of cancer; and WHEREAS, she departed this life after a brief, but courageous, fight against cancer, just 10 months after being diagnosed; and WHEREAS, Elaine was baptized as an infant at the Cathedral Church of the Advent in Birmingham, Alabama, and accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior at Mountaintop Community Church; and WHEREAS, 15 other individuals accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior while attending her funeral; and WHEREAS, memories of Elaine carry with them the desire continue the search for cancer's cure, including finding a cure for Alveolar Rhamdomyosarcoma and other cancers that primarily attack children; and WHEREAS, the Elaine Roberts Foundation was established for the purpose of educating people about childhood cancer and to raise funds for cancer cure research; and WHEREAS, the passing of Elaine leaves a void in the lives of her loving family, many friends, and a community where she is highly regarded; her presence is sorely missed, but her memory will be forever cherished in the hearts of all who knew and loved her; now therefore, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA, That the death of Elaine Roberts, is recorded with heartfelt sadness, and this resolution is offered in highest tribute to her life, along with the sincerest form of sympathy to her grieving family.