[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 91 (Wednesday, June 19, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S6546]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        OPERATION SMILE WINS CONRAD N. HILTON HUMANITARIAN PRIZE

 Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, there are kind hearts in the world.
  The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation--for the first time--is awarding a $1 
million prize to a humanitarian organization committed to alleviating 
human suffering.
  Mr. President, I rise today to congratulate Operation Smile, a 
Virginia-based organization dedicated to bringing smiles to the world's 
children. Operation Smile, an international, volunteer, medical-
services organization, provides reconstructive surgery to indigent 
children suffering from facial and functional deformities.
  I am delighted that Operation Smile was chosen by the Conrad N. 
Hilton Foundation.
  Both Operation Smile and the Hilton Foundation fuel the spirit of 
volunteerism. Operation Smile, embracing the mission of all 
humanitarians, touches the face of humanity, literally, figuratively, 
and spiritually. For centuries, throughout much of the world--even in 
our great Nation--children born with facial deformities were sentenced 
to a life of private pain and public humiliation. Operation Smile was 
founded in 1982 by the husband-and-wife team of Dr. William P. Magee, a 
plastic surgeon, and Kathleen Magee, a nurse and social worker. I 
particularly want to commend the founders of Operation Smile, their 
vision and hard work have made the dreams of many youngsters come true.
  The generous award by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation will help keep 
this hope alive. By establishing this prize, the foundation, according 
to the executive director of the Hilton Prize, seeks to recognize and 
support all persons working hard, and often under difficult conditions, 
to alleviate human suffering.
  Today, selfless volunteers with Operation Smile provide 
reconstructive surgery and related health care to children around the 
world. Thanks to the unwavering dedication of Operation Smile 
volunteers, over 18,000 children have witnessed a personal miracle and 
embarked on a new life.
  Internationally, Operation Smile educates and trains local medical 
professions and creates an infrastructures for volunteer and financial 
support--all of which contributes to a local network of self-
sufficiency.
  From the State of Virginia, as well as the other 28 chapters around 
the country, Operation Smile reaches into schools and communities, 
identifying children in need of reconstructive surgery. With the 
unwavering support of volunteer surgeons and hospitals, Operation Smile 
insures that no child will suffer through a childhood made traumatic by 
facial disfigurement.
  Mr. President, the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation could not have chosen 
a more worthy organization. Operation Smile deserves a standing 
ovation. In fact, I applaud both Operation Smile and the Conrad N. 
Hilton Foundation for showing the world the promise of hope and the 
power of smiles.

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