[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 3 (Friday, January 5, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S101-S102]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  A SPECIAL HOLIDAY SEASON IN NEW YORK

 Mr. D'AMATO. Mr. President, I rise today to celebrate the true 
spirit of the holiday season and pay special tribute to Trans World 
Airlines (TWA) for its generosity in helping to make Christmas a truly 
special time for one of my constituents, Mr. Mouris Astafanous.
  To have a chance of survival, doctors told Mr. Astafanous that he 
would need a bone marrow transplant. Tests had indicated that his 
sister, Ms. Wedad Astafanous of Cairo, Egypt, met the incredible 20,000 
to 1 odds of finding a 

[[Page S102]]
perfect match. However, State Department red tape prevented Ms. 
Astafanous from flying to America to help her brother. Because of these 
bureacratic hurdles, Ms. Astafanous was being denied the opportunity to 
help save her brother's life. At the request of the Astafanous family, 
I contacted the American Amdassador in Cairo who guaranteed his 
personal assistance in helping Wedad, and less than 24 hours later, she 
was granted the necessary visa.
  Once a visa was secured, it was necessary to obtain an airline ticket 
for the trip to New York. TWA responded to my request for help in this 
situation. TWA CEO and president, Jeff Erickson, ensured that Ms. 
Astafanous' travel plans were arranged in a proper and timely manner. 
TWA then flew Ms. Astafanous from Egypt to New York so that she would 
be able to give her critically ill brother one of the greatest gifts of 
all, the gift of hope. Mr. Erickson's actions, along with the 
cooperation of TWA employees, have helped to provide the support the 
Astafanous family needs in this critical time.
  Ms. Astafanous arrived in New York on the morning of Christmas Eve 
and immediately went to her brother's hospital bedside for a joyous 
reunion. Mouris' spirits have been immeasurably lifted by the arrival 
of his sister as have the spirits of all who have been touched by this 
wonderful family. I have had the honor of meeting Mouris and the entire 
Astafanous family. They are a family of great strength and courage. My 
prayers, and I am sure the prayers of all my colleagues, are with 
Mouris Astafanous, his sister Wedad, and the entire Astafanous family.
  Thank you, Mr. President.
  (At the request of Mr. Daschle, the following statement was ordered 
to be printed in the Record.)

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