On the recordMarch 28, 2012
It's with sadness that I rise to honor the life of Anthony Dejuan Boatwright, who passed away at the age of 11 Sunday night. Juan was 14 months old when he was left alone at his day care center, fell into a bucket of water and bleach, and suffered irreversible brain damage. At that time, there was no law requiring Georgia licensed day care centers to carry insurance or even let parents know that they didn't carry insurance. That meant that despite being awarded a $30 million jury verdict, Juan's family couldn't collect the money needed to care for Juan's life over the past 11 years. Juan's mother, Jackie, has led a courageous effort to correct this injustice. And in 2004, Georgia enacted a law requiring that day care centers disclose their insurance status. Last Congress, Juan and Jackie's fight led the House to pass the Anthony Dejuan Boatwright Act so that families across America would never again experience the same tragedy. During the last 11 years, Juan inspired a movement to protect the safety of children everywhere. Juan, your mother and I thank you for your life. You will be missed, but your legacy lives on. ____________________
