Congressional Record/Volume 167/Issue 4/Extensions of Remarks/Remembering Christine Terlesky
REMEMBERING CHRISTINE TERLESKY
HON. TIM RYAN
OF OHIO
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Wednesday, January 6, 2021
Mr. Ryan. Madam Speaker, I rise today in memory of Christine Terlesky, a beloved mother, wife, teacher, coach, daughter, sister and friend who passed away after a long battle with ALS.
While Christine played many roles, I first came to know her as an advocate. Soon after being diagnosed, she came to Capitol Hill as a passionate voice for families living with ALS to champion additional funding, research, and legislation that would benefit those afflicted with this debilitating disease.
That’s just who Christine was; a person who immediately was spurred into action on behalf of others despite being confronted with a disease that impacted all aspects of her and her family’s lives.
Forever the teacher, she continued to tell her story to teach others about the realities of ALS. Forever the Coach, she used that platform to fight for ALS funding and affordable, universal healthcare for all.
I saw firsthand how Christine passionately gave her time and energy—even as it was in increasingly limited supply—to what she believed in. And for Christine, that meant community. It meant family. It meant Youngstown. We had that in common.
I have fond memories of a dinner we had in D.C. with her sisters, swapping stories of our days as Youngstown State University athletes, our big Italian families, our love of sports, and her 19 years teaching history and government and coaching at Boardman High School. The evening went on for hours.
That dinner was also when I learned of Christine’s deep admiration for Hillary Clinton. In 2016, during one of Secretary Clinton’s campaign stops in Youngstown, I was able to connect Christine to Secretary Clinton. I will never forget the joy in Christine’s face when she first met the Secretary. And in that moment, Christine did what she always did, put others first. She used her short time with the Secretary to advocate for those suffering with ALS.
In her final months, Christine continued to use her online presence to educate and advocate. She never lost her faith in government, advocacy, and enacting policies to improve the lives of Americans.
Christine Terlesky is survived by her parents, Ronald and Judy Moschella of Boardman; her husband, Brian Terlesky; their three children, Brian (21), Tyler (16) and Emma (12); two younger sisters, Nadine (Nick) Colla and Jolene (Donald) Ross; her in-laws, Mary Lou and Ted Terlesky and nieces and nephews, Jenna and Jimmy Vivo, Lia and Nicholas Colla and Tessa, Gianna and Lena Ross.
Christine was one of the most caring, brave, and passionate people I have ever met. She gave her life to helping others and never backed down from a fight. I’m honored to have known her.
She will be sorely missed, but her community—our community—will continue to work together to carry out her mission. My prayers are with her family.