Political Quotes

“Mr. President, I wish to say a few words about an extraordinary man, a friend of mine, who died this week in Carterville, IL. Dan Callahan was the head baseball coach at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale for the last 16 years. He died Monday at the age of 52. Dan Callahan was not only a good coach, he was a great man. His conduct on and off the field inspired just about everybody who ever met him. Dan died of neurotropic melanoma, a very rare and very serious form of skin cancer. His struggle with cancer began almost 5 years ago when he detected a little black spot on his lower lip. The spot was successfully removed, but the cancer remained and grew. After receiving his diagnosis, Dan Callahan silently endured the rigors of his treatment while continuing to coach his baseball team. In the 2007, 2008 seasons there were times he probably should have stayed home because he was too weak to do much but sit in the dugout, but he came to work and he came to that ball yard every day. He didn't miss a single game. The next season Dan endured more intense treatment, including a surgery that removed part of his right jaw. It was only then that he went public with his illness. Eventually, the cancer cost Dan not only his job but the sight in his right eye and the hearing in his right ear. But it didn't stop the coach. The losses damaged his depth perception and hearing.…”