I'd like to take a few minutes to tell you about that one life lost. At a very young age Shayne learned that he could do anything he set his mind to doing with faith and God and determination. In kindergarten we learned that Shayne had a learning disability and when educators said that Shayne would never be able to read, Shayne learned to read fluently within a few month of first grade, with the help of a devoted Special Ed teacher. When they said he would never be able to function in a main stream school environment, Shayne's determination merited him all mainstream classes by his senior year in high school, with the help of another devoted teacher. Shayne was noted for giving 110% in every thing he did. When they told him that (he) could never go to college, Shayne applied to a vocational college and was accepted and attended. Shayne loved sports and where most would have been rejected to play on school teams, Shayne won the admiration of his coaches and peers through his determination and was often awarded the most improved member of the team (award). In college he was given the Coaches Award for his merit, example and dedication to the team. Through his achievements, Shayne became an example and impiration to all, particularly those like him.
However, what Shayne was particularly noted for was his love and sensitivity with people. He could pick a troubled person out in a crowd go to them, befriend them and put a smile on their face. If you needed him, no matter who you were, stranger, family or friend, he would drop everything and be there for you. Mourners came from miles around at Shayne's wake. He had touched the lives of so many people; it was hard to conceive. Even after extending visiting hours, the funeral home had to close the doors on people who were still lined up to pay their last respects. Today, people still come up to me and tell me how much they miss my son.
So, you see ladies and gentleman,one life does make a difference and one life is very important even though he may not be some famous person or celebrity. And I'm afraid we take these lives for granted, with an attitude that all life is a risk or one of indifference.
Today we spend millions of dollars, investigating crimes, tracking down criminals who
perpretrate the rights of other indi
viduals. We spend more monies providing them a fair trial
and then when convicted more monies in providing them food and shelter and rehabilitation in our prisons. I am not against this. Yet, when one good citizen dies of unknown causes after a new and potentially unexplored substance had been deposited on a
field next door, a preliminary autopsy is held with minimal funds, and then no more is done. There's something to be said of this. At the same time, when it comes to insure the health and safety of our citizens, money seems to take the forefront at the risk of lives. I want to quote what one representative of the company that dumped the sludge, said when I expressed concern of the risks involved and whether there was a more ecological way
disposing this stuff. He said, "all life is a risk, lady!" And there are more ecological ways, "but they're too expensive." Yet they have given this substance to unsuspecting farmers for free. What does that say? At the expense of saving a dollar, we take the risk of expending
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