In Honor of Patrick Henry Beauregard

Floor Speech

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Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to honor the life and service of a truly exceptional young man whom I had the great fortune of meeting and working with, Patrick Henry Beauregard, who was taken from us far too soon on September 6, 2020, after a courageous and awe-inspiring battle with colorectal cancer.

Many of you know that my own faith has been greatly influenced by the teachings of the Jesuits, and in particular, the idea that we ought to live our lives as men and women for others.

Mr. Speaker, Patrick Beauregard embodied this idea in every way. Patrick was born in Portland, Maine, and grew up in Medfield, Massachusetts. He attended Thayer Academy in Braintree, Massachusetts, and Providence College in Providence, Rhode Island, where he met the love of his life, Amanda.

After graduating from college, Patrick decided to serve our country by enlisting in the United States Marine Corps where he was an intelligence analyst. And during his service, Patrick received commendations for exceptional leadership, initiative, loyalty, and dedication to duty.

Patrick's stage 4 colorectal cancer diagnosis in September 2017 at the age of 29--a month after marrying his beloved wife, Amanda--changed everything. I think some of us would be tempted to give in to the uncertainty and doubt. But Patrick remained positive through surgeries, immunotherapy, and over 40 rounds of chemotherapy.

But what inspires me most about Patrick is that in the midst of this awful situation, he saw an opportunity to do good. Even as he fought his own disease with incredible grace and resilience, he used his voice to speak out and to bring the issue of colorectal cancer to the attention of researchers, donors, elected officials, and other young people at risk for the disease. He appeared on the news, advocated for patients, and worked with groups like the Prevent Cancer Foundation, to educate the public about the alarming increase of young onset colorectal cancer.

Mr. Speaker, Patrick Beauregard truly lived his life in service to others. From serving on the Alumni Association Board at Thayer Academy, to serving in the United States Marine Corps, to serving as an advocate so that we can prevent this terrible disease, Patrick is an inspiration to all of us, and he embodies the ideas of service and self-sacrifice this Nation was built on.

His incredible strength and tenacity allowed him to accomplish his final goal of meeting his son, Noah Patrick, on July 10, 2020. Noah, your dad was a great man, but more importantly, he was a very good man, who did his very best to serve those around him and made our world a better place.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the people of Massachusetts, cancer patients and survivors around the world, and the entire United States Congress, please join me in honoring the life and service of Patrick Henry Beauregard and praying for his family and friends and all those who hold him in their heart.

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