Floor SpeechCeremonial2026-04-29

HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF ASAL SAYAS

TaxesForeign Policy

Context

On 2026-04-29, Representative André Carson (D-IN-7) delivered a floor speech titled "HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF ASAL SAYAS" in the House. The speech addressed taxes and also covered foreign policy.

Full Text

HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF ASAL SAYAS

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 75 (Wednesday, April 29, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 75 (Wednesday, April 29, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E389-E390] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF ASAL SAYAS ______ HON. ANDRE CARSON of indiana in the house of representatives Wednesday, April 29, 2026 Mr. CARSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to honor the life and legacy of Asal Sayas. Asal was a remarkable public servant, advocate, and friend, whose passing leaves an immeasurable void in the lives of all who knew her. Asal was an extraordinary leader and a dedicated public servant in Congress and the Executive Branch. She served as the Director of Operations for my office, and in the Senate for Senator Klobuchar. Asal was an invaluable member of my team who brought a deep sense of purpose to her work. She was someone you could always count on, driven by a genuine desire to serve others and a ready smile that she shared with us often. She also [[Page E390]] shared her pride in Persian culture and traditions, helping us all learn more about this special part of the world. Like so many who had the privilege of working with Asal, I appreciated her presence and her commitment to public service. Because of her hard work and dedication, Indiana's 7th Congressional District is a better and stronger community. Asal was a fighter. She faced her unexpected cancer diagnosis with courage, strength, and creativity. Some people might have been afraid to try experimental treatments, but not Asal. She researched them, pursued them, and kept her village of friends and supporters updated on how things were going, and how we could help her with her battle. Even in her most difficult moments, she embraced resilience, which inspired everyone around her. But her legacy extends far beyond her personal battle. She dedicated her life to fighting for others, especially those navigating some of life's most difficult journeys. As President Biden's Senior Advisor on Health Outcomes and Cancer for the Cancer Moonshot Initiative, Asal helped lead a national effort to reduce cancer deaths and improve the lives of patients and their families. She was deeply committed to uplifting the work of scientists and doctors to advance early detection, address health disparities in cancer research, screening, and treatment, and push forward research to one day end cancer as we know it. Asal was a passionate and powerful voice within the cancer community, raising awareness about early-stage colon cancer, advocating for younger and underserved populations, and ensuring that no one facing this disease felt alone. Through her work with national colorectal cancer organizations and as co-founder of Colorectal Cancer Change (CRCC), she empowered patients, educated families, and built a legacy of advocacy that will continue to shape lives for years to come. Her service also spanned nearly a decade as Director of Government Affairs at amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, where she championed expansion and improvements in HIV/AIDS research. In honoring Asal's legacy, we must also carry forward the mission she championed. Today, colorectal cancer is the leading cause of cancer- related deaths among men under 50 and the second leading cause among women under 50, a deeply concerning reality that demands urgent action. Early detection saves lives, yet far too many are diagnosed at later stages, especially younger Americans. That is why I urge my colleagues to continue investing in lifesaving medical research, to fully fund cancer initiatives like the Cancer Moonshot, and to expand access to early screening and preventive care. This is how we honor Asal--not only in words, but through our actions, our policies, and by our votes to fully fund lifesaving research and health services. To know Asal was to know compassion, brilliance, and purpose. She touched countless lives, including my own, not only through her extraordinary professional accomplishments, but through her warmth and kindness. Today, we mourn her loss, but we also celebrate her amazing life defined by service and love. My thoughts and prayers are with her family, her friends, and all who are grieving this loss. May they find comfort in the legacy she leaves behind, and in knowing that her work and voice will continue to inspire generations to come. May her memory be a blessing. ____________________

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HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF ASAL SAYAS Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 75 (Wednesday, April 29, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 75 (Wednesday, April 29, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E389-E390] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF ASAL SAYAS ______ HON. ANDRE CARSON of indiana in the house of representatives Wednesday, April 29, 2026 Mr. CARSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to honor the life and legacy of Asal Sayas. Asal was a remarkable public servant, advocate, and friend, whose passing leaves an immeasurable void in the lives of all who knew her. Asal was an extraordinary leader and a dedicated public servant in Congress and the Executive Branch. She served as the Director of Operations for my office, and in the Senate for Senator Klobuchar. Asal was an invaluable member of my team who brought a deep sense of purpose to her work. She was someone you could always count on, driven by a genuine desire to serve others and a ready smile that she shared with us often. She also [[Page E390]] shared her pride in Persian culture and traditions, helping us all learn more about this special part of the world. Like so many who had the privilege of working with Asal, I appreciated her presence and her commitment to public service. Because of her hard work and dedication, Indiana's 7th Congressional District is a better and stronger community. Asal was a fighter. She faced her unexpected cancer diagnosis with courage, strength, and creativity. Some people might have been afraid to try experimental treatments, but not Asal. She researched them, pursued them, and kept her village of friends and supporters updated on how things were going, and how we could help her with her battle. Even in her most difficult moments, she embraced resilience, which inspired everyone around her. But her legacy extends far beyond her personal battle. She dedicated her life to fighting for others, especially those navigating some of life's most difficult journeys. As President Biden's Senior Advisor on Health Outcomes and Cancer for the Cancer Moonshot Initiative, Asal helped lead a national effort to reduce cancer deaths and improve the lives of patients and their families. She was deeply committed to uplifting the work of scientists and doctors to advance early detection, address health disparities in cancer research, screening, and treatment, and push forward research to one day end cancer as we know it. Asal was a passionate and powerful voice within the cancer community, raising awareness about early-stage colon cancer, advocating for younger and underserved populations, and ensuring that no one facing this disease felt alone. Through her work with national colorectal cancer organizations and as co-founder of Colorectal Cancer Change (CRCC), she empowered patients, educated families, and built a legacy of advocacy that will continue to shape lives for years to come. Her service also spanned nearly a decade as Director of Government Affairs at amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, where she championed expansion and improvements in HIV/AIDS research. In honoring Asal's legacy, we must also carry forward the mission she championed. Today, colorectal cancer is the leading cause of cancer- related deaths among men under 50 and the second leading cause among women under 50, a deeply concerning reality that demands urgent action. Early detection saves lives, yet far too many are diagnosed at later stages, especially younger Americans. That is why I urge my colleagues to continue investing in lifesaving medical research, to fully fund cancer initiatives like the Cancer Moonshot, and to expand access to early screening and preventive care. This is how we honor Asal--not only in words, but through our actions, our policies, and by our votes to fully fund lifesaving research and health services. To know Asal was to know compassion, brilliance, and purpose. She touched countless lives, including my own, not only through her extraordinary professional accomplishments, but through her warmth and kindness. Today, we mourn her loss, but we also celebrate her amazing life defined by service and love. My thoughts and prayers are with her family, her friends, and all who are grieving this loss. May they find comfort in the legacy she leaves behind, and in knowing that her work and voice will continue to inspire generations to come. May her memory be a blessing. ____________________