PRESS CONFERENCE TRANSCRIPT
(EXCERPTS)

Thursday, October 18, 2001
Dallas City Hall "Flag Room"
Dallas, Texas
Press Conference called by Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk
to announce Dallas' participation in the Olympic Torch Relay

Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk:

"We wanted to showcase the diversity of all of our recipients, and I saw a young lady sitting in the audience. I didn't know who she is, but she's here in a wheelchair and she's got a torchbearer's sign on, and I imagine Ashley's got a compelling story. I can't think of anybody who would be any more proud to carry the torch and maybe share a couple of thoughts about her, so Ashley if you would come stand in for Dorothy Lagnoff for us. Forgive me, I don't have all your bio, but I want you to come share a couple of words."

Paul O'Rear, Ashley's Dad:

"My name is Paul O'Rear, and I'm Ashley's Dad. When we first saw the commercials about the Olympic Torch Relay -- actually, I first learned about it from my brother, who wanted me to nominate one of his friends. My brother has leukemia, and a friend of his has done a lot of relays on his behalf. So I sent in a nomination for my brother's friend, and I noticed that you could nominate more than one person. So I waited a couple of days and thought, 'That would really be cool to nominate Ashley.' So I sent in a nomination for her, telling just a little bit about her story. And then a couple of months later we were surprised to get the e-mail that said that she had been selected.

"Ashley is 14 years old. When she was just shy of 10, just about to turn 10, we found out that she had a brain tumor. We spent a lot of days and nights at Children's Medical Center in Dallas. She fought it bravely. She overcame it. She was in remission for about four years. It was during that time that I nominated her, just because of the courage that she had shown and the inspiration that she had been to so many people all over the country, all over the world, because of her story and because of her courageous fight. And we thought she had beat it. And we got the letter saying that she had been invited to participate.

"Then, just about a month ago, we found out that her tumors were back. So we're fighting the battle once again. To me, that just adds a whole new level of meaning to realize that here she is fighting again, and she is going to be representing the very best of the human spirit as she carries the Olympic Flame through the Dallas/Fort Worth area. And we are just as proud as we can possibly be to know that she will be representing that spirit as she carries the Flame. Thank you."

Dallas Community Television:

"What would you say to the people of New York who experienced such a devastating tragedy on September 11?"

Ashley O'Rear:

"Keep believing in God, that He can help, that if you believe and just keep relying on Him that He will help you make it through all your troubles."

Dallas Community Television:

"Why is it special to you to be selected as an Olympic Torch Bearer?"

Ashley O'Rear:

"Because it's something that not everyone gets to do, and something that you only get to do once, and it's very, very exciting."

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