Byron Dorgan: “2 months ago, our family suffered a terrible loss with the death of our daughter Shelly. She was a beautiful and…”

“2 months ago, our family suffered a terrible loss with the death of our daughter Shelly. She was a beautiful and wonderful young woman, just entering the prime of life. She died from complications of corrective heart surgery that was expected to be routine and safe with a 99.5 percent success rate. But, tragically, the surgery was not successful for Shelly. The doctors are still unable to explain Shelly's heart failure. It was a harsh reminder to us that the wonder of modern miracles in medicine is still tempered with a lack of certainty and a continuing mystery about human life. While Shelly's death is not able to be completely explained, her life provides for me a full explanation of why we miss her so. She was a very special young woman. Today, I want to express how deeply thankful I and my family have been for the expressions of prayers, support and strength from so many friends in North Dakota and also from those with whom I serve here in the U.S. Congress. So many have taken the time to call or write and do the little extra things to show they care. I want to tell all of you how much it has meant to me and to my family. Finally, I would like to share with my colleagues something that I wrote following Shelly's death. Shelly, a Treasury of Memories She is a beautiful, bright, witty, wonderful 23-year-old wife, daughter, relative and friend. She lived and she died. And because she lived, our lives are forever changed.”