Sarah Elfreth: “On May 30, Severna Park and Maryland's Third Congressional District lost one of our youngest members of our community…”

“On May 30, Severna Park and Maryland's Third Congressional District lost one of our youngest members of our community, Hugh Nie. Hugh was not even 18 months old when he died of sudden, unexplained death in childhood, or SUDC. Hugh's parents, Eddie and Jessica, who are here today, described him as joy personified. He loved going to the park, circle time at the library, and getting booped in the nose at bath time. With his loved ones, Hugh read over 1,000 books and was a dear friend to our public library system. In Hugh's memory, our community is now building Hugh's Corner at the Severna Park Library. Mr. Speaker, there are approximately 400 cases of SUDC in the U.S. every year. Without a known cause or form of prevention, the NIH research conducted on SUDC is critical and could be lifesaving. I urge my colleagues to join in supporting full funding for the NIH's lifesaving work so that not another family has to experience what the Nies have endured.”