March 3, 2010 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1015 has excelled at now for 49 years in 139 the 45th anniversary of the VISTA Pro- ostomy. The Great Comeback Awards countries through 7,671 volunteers. gram. celebrate the spirit and courage with On the other side of town, several Last year nearly 50 VISTA volun- which a patient embraces life after members of our delegation visited a teers provided service in Alaska. These ostomy surgery. Sylvia and the other start-up small business, the brainchild citizens are vital to fighting poverty in Great Comebacks Awardees are Ameri- of retiree and Peace Corps volunteer our State. The success of this program cans who live life to the fullest despite Barbara Eberhart, whose second career is evident in the programs it has left the daily challenges presented by their is dedicated to empowering the women behind such as Head Start, job training respective conditions. of Morocco. plans, and credit unions. From its be- At age 9, Sylvia was diagnosed with The group visited a fabric and em- ginnings in 1965 to today, VISTA has Crohn’s disease. She managed her broidery shop developed by a commu- dedicated hard work, time, and innova- symptoms with medication, but experi- nity of Berber women aided by a micro- tion to lift Americans all over the enced constant flare-ups during col- credit loan and Barbara’s guidance and country out of poverty. lege. At age 21, her intestines were unbounded energy. These women, un- While the mission to fight against punctured during a colonoscopy and able to read or write and essentially poverty has a long history, VISTA has she underwent ostomy surgery. Fol- marginalized in Moroccan society, continued to adapt to various localities lowing this surgery, Sylvia was emo- have formed a cooperative where they and challenges to provide new and in- tionally distraught; however, she en- create fine embroidered goods and sell spired solutions. Alaska boasts many tered counseling and learned how to them in local markets. Their small past and present VISTA volunteers. cope with her stoma. Sylvia has since business not only provides desperately Many of them have become prominent triumphed over her illness, and needed income, but gives these women in Alaska’s public and private sectors. achieved her dream of becoming a a stronger sense of themselves, their In Alaska, John Shively came to the flight attendant. By her records, she’s community and hope for their future state with VISTA from New York the first Delta SkyTeam flight attend- and that of their children. State with the intention of staying for ant with an ileostomy. Additionally, With Peace Corps volunteers coming 1 year. He became involved in local Sylvia joined the Delta Ski and from all backgrounds, ages and various government in Alaska and was in- Snowboard team and has earned rib- stages of life, this program is as diverse volved in the Native lands settlements bons in many competitions. Sylvia has as our country. The local citizen col- of early statehood. He later became the also completed two half-marathons and laboration inherent in all Peace Corps commissioner of the Alaska Depart- a triathlon. work helps build enduring relation- ment of Natural Resources, overseeing Today, Sylvia lives in Park City, UT, ships between the United States and more than 80 million acres of State with her husband Paul and their chil- Peace Corps partner countries. land. He has also been a regent for the dren, Reese, Garrett, and Renee. I com- The Peace Corps invests time and University of Alaska, and the Alaska mend Sylvia and the other Great talent in other countries, but it pays State Chamber of Commerce was proud Comebacks Regional Award Recipients. dividends back here in the United to award John Shively the title ‘‘Out- Their personal stories are inspirational States as well. Those who are taught or standing Alaskan of the Year’’ in 2009. and will raise awareness about the helped by Peace Corps volunteers are Willie Hensley is an Alaska Native great comebacks being made by those likely to have more favorable opinions and one of the many successful resi- living with intestinal diseases or recov- of the United States. More than that, dents of Alaska. He was a VISTA vol- ering from ostomy surgery.∑ many of the volunteers themselves are unteer and went on to serve in the f inspired to public service upon their re- Alaska State Legislature. He founded REMEMBERING HARRY AGGANIS turn to this country, some becoming the NANA Native Corporation after Governors and Members of Congress, working hard to ensure equitable set- ∑ Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, there is including our own colleague and fellow tlement of Alaska Native land claims. a mid-winter tradition throughout New Helsinki Commissioner, Senator DODD He is one of the founding members of England and across my home State of of Connecticut. the Alaska Federation of Natives and Maine—talking . Not just any I left Aitourir thinking Kate was the is a well known author. baseball, of course, but exemplary Peace Corps volunteer with John Shively and Willie Hensley are baseball. her welcoming smile, passion for serv- just two examples of the thousands of These discussions, whether they take ice and genuine love for the Moroccan VISTA volunteers who have served place around the kitchen wood stove or people. But aware of the success of so Alaska and her people. VISTA is a pro- the office water cooler, range from the many other Peace Corps programs gram serving all Americans with the team’s storied history to the prospects around the world, I know Kate is one of focus on lifting poor Americans out of for the upcoming season. The heroes of many volunteers—all of whom would poverty so their futures can be as the past, Yastrzemski, Williams, and so have left as great an impression. bright as the northern lights. VISTA’s many more, are recalled, as are the The Peace Corps is a program that 45 years of service to the country has more recent stars, such as Schilling works. Volunteers year in and year out made a difference in so many lives, in and Ramirez. continue to fulfill the Peace Corps mis- Alaska and across the Nation. At times, fans reminisce about a young man who, although his career sion of bringing training and education f to interested countries and strength- was cut tragically short, continues to ening understanding between Ameri- ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS inspire through his athleticism, com- cans and our neighbors in the global petitive spirit, and generosity. His community. Congratulations to the name was Aristotle George Agganis. TRIBUTE TO SYLVIA PROTHRO Peace Corps for 49 remarkable years. I His friends called him Harry. He will HEBERT look forward to its continued success. always be remembered as the Golden ∑ f Mr. BENNETT. Mr. President, today Greek. I wish to recognize my constituent, Harry Agganis was born in Lynn, RECOGNIZING VISTA ON ITS 45TH Sylvia Prothro Hebert, who has been MA, in 1929. Although he is known as a ANNIVERSARY selected as a 2009 Great Comebacks Re- baseball player, he first made his mark Mr. BEGICH. Mr. President, I wish to cipient for the West Region. This pro- in football as a star for speak on a resolution I have cosigned gram honors individuals who are living Boston University. As a sophomore in celebrating Volunteers In Service To with intestinal diseases or recovering 1949 he set a school record for touch- America, or VISTA, on its 45th anni- from ostomy surgeries, procedures that down passes. He left school in 1950 to versary and recognizing its contribu- reconstruct bowel and bladder function enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps. tion to the fight against poverty. through the use of a specially fitted When he completed his service to our This resolution will demonstrate the medical prosthesis. Sylvia is one of nation, he returned to college, setting great appreciation this country has for over 700,000 Americans, from young a school record for passing yards, win- its volunteers, specifically honoring children to senior citizens, who have an ning the Bulger Lowe Award as New

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Upon his This All-American truly stood apart After her retirement from the Army, graduation, he was offered a lucrative The Golden Greek was simply pure of heart Latoya became a motivational speaker contract to play football for the Cleve- Four hundred churches honored for forty and writer to share her remarkable land Browns but chose instead to sign days story with others and encourage people The man who touched many hearts in so with the Red Sox so he could remain many ways to draw strength from their struggles. near his widowed mother. Fifty thousand said goodbye as his church Latoya’s book, ‘‘The Immeasurable Here are a few stories that illustrate choir Spirit: Lessons of a Wounded Warrior the character of this young man and Sang love for the man who set the sports about Faith and Perseverance,’’ re- the esteem in which he is held. world afire ceived the Gold Medal Award from the While still a student in 1953, Harry Harry Agganis stirred heart and soul Military Writers Society of America. Agganis was inducted into the new Did God take him so he would never grow Additionally, Latoya is the chair of the Boston University Hall of Fame. He de- old? Wounded Warrior Welcome Home So- clined gifts of a car and $4,000 from his Heroes live forever though Harry died young cial. She has inspired so many others classmates and instead asked that the The song of the Golden Greek will always be to draw strength from adversity. As sung cash equivalent be put toward estab- Latoya has said, ‘‘There are so many lishing a scholarship for Greek-Amer- Thousands of marines in the Carolina sun soldiers who come back home with in- ican students with financial need. Named a field for the marine who left no deed undone juries and untold numbers having On June 6, 1954, he homered at The first Olympic heroes won olive wreaths ostomy surgery. I answer questions Fenway Park and scored the winning His silver wreath from the king and queen of they have and show them that they can run as the Red Sox beat the Detroit Ti- Greece lead a full life with an ostomy.’’ gers. Following the game, he changed The seventh child of immigrants born in There are thousands of veterans and into a cap and gown in the Sox club- Lynn Active-Duty members who call Colo- house, ran down Commonwealth Ave- Learned playing the game right was the way rado home, a fact that is a source of nue in time for the graduation cere- to win pride for me. Coloradans like Latoya monies on the B.U. campus, and re- He major league pitching at fourteen are a testament to the bravery and ceived his bachelor’s degree in edu- years of age strength of our veterans and their re- Then went on to glory on the sports page cation. markable ability to deal with life- As the 1955 season opened, he was off This Hall of Famer scrambled forty yards changing injuries. Latoya has become a to a good start, but on June 2 he was from the pocket He threw feather passes or shots like a rock- leader and a source of strength for fel- hospitalized with pneumonia. He re- et low citizens who face similar injuries, joined the team 10 days later but fell ill Though he looked and played like a Greek and I want to thank her for her service again. He died on June 27 of a pul- god to this country. I am proud to have monary embolism. Ten thousand This flesh and blood hero was one with the this opportunity to share just some ex- mourners attended his wake. lord amples of Latoya’s bravery and His career was brief, but his name He gave to the poor and church, gifts he re- achievements, and I congratulate her lives on. In 1956, a 1,000-seat baseball ceived and the other Great Comebacks Award facility, Harry Agganis Stadium, was Harry lived the golden rule, as he believed recipients.∑ dedicated in his honor at Camp His smile warm and bright like sunshine in f Lejeune, NC, where he served. A memo- July rial plaque placed at the field reads, Why at twenty-six did this Red Sox star die? MESSAGES FROM THE PRESIDENT The NFL played games in honor of his name ‘‘Endowed with peerless talent, Cor- Messages from the President of the poral Agganis exemplified the finest in All for a man who never played a pro game He planned to play for the Sox and the NFL United States were communicated to competitive spirit and sportsmanship. What might have been only God can tell the Senate by Mr. Pate, one of his sec- An All- player, and This hero of the heart was like no other retaries. later a professional baseball player, his His last words: were ‘‘take care of my moth- f outstanding accomplishments in the er’’ field of athletics were an inspiration to In the pantheon of sports, the Golden Greek EXECUTIVE MESSAGES REFERRED other Marines who served and were reigns As in executive session the Presiding teammates with him during his career His mem’ry glowing like the Olympic flame∑ Officer laid before the Senate messages in the Marine Corps.’’ f from the President of the United He was inducted posthumously into TRIBUTE TO LATOYA LUCAS States submitting sundry nominations the Hall of Fame in which were referred to the appropriate ∑ 1974. In 1995, Gaffney Street in Boston Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. Presi- committees. was re-named Harry Agganis Way. In dent, I wish to recognize Latoya Lucas (The nominations received today are 2004, was dedicated in of Colorado Springs, who will be award- printed at the end of the Senate pro- his honor on the Boston University ed today with the 2009 Tony Snow Pub- ceedings.) lic Service Award. This distinction was campus. Each year, members of the f New England Sportswriters Associa- created to ‘‘honor extraordinary indi- tion present the Harry Agganis Award viduals who are passionate about serv- MESSAGES FROM THE HOUSE to the outstanding New England col- ing their country while dealing coura- At 9:33 a.m., a message from the lege football senior. geously with debilitating intestinal House of Representatives, delivered by His character and accomplishments diseases and ostomy surgery.’’ Mr. Novotny, one of its reading clerks, have been set to music by a talented In 2003, Latoya was a new mother and announced that the House has passed songwriter and devoted Red Sox fan in an Army specialist serving in Oper- the following bill, in which it requests Bangor, ME, named Joe Pickering, Jr. ation Iraqi Freedom when her humvee the concurrence of the Senate: Joe recently retired after 30 years of was attacked by rocket-propelled gre- H.R. 3820. An act to reauthorize Federal dedicated service as executive director nades. She thankfully survived the in- natural hazards reduction programs, and for of Community Health and Counseling cident, but her injuries resulted in a other purposes. Services in Bangor. It is my pleasure to colostomy and 2 years of intensive re- have printed his inspiring lyrics into habilitation. Latoya’s brave service At 6:14 p.m., a message from the the RECORD: has been recognized by such honors and House of Representatives, delivered by THE GOLDEN GREEK distinctions as the Purple Heart Medal, Mr. Novotny, one of its reading clerks, Time washes away people who depart the Meritorious Service Medal, and the announced that the House has agreed You who remain cherish heroes of the heart Soroptimist International Woman of to the following concurrent resolution, They seldom grace earth but, not for long Distinction Award. In 2005, she became in which it requests the concurrence of The Golden Greek lives in this song the first female recipient of the Mili- the Senate:

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