[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 55 (Thursday, May 1, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S3926]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       IN MEMORY OF OWEN WILLIAMS

 Mr. COVERDELL. Mr. President, too often, it seems good deeds 
and public service go unrecognized while it is precisely the 
proprietors of these acts who hold our communities together. I would 
like to take a moment to recognize one of these proprietors who I call 
unsung heroes. On Saturday, March 1 of this year, a dear friend and 
colleague of mine, Owen Williams, and his son, Alfredo, were tragically 
killed by a drunk driver in my home State of Georgia.
  Owen was a true hero in my eyes--bright, devout, and committed to his 
wife Carolyn and eight children. A former Vietnam combat veteran, Owen 
was dedicated to his community, his country, and his God.
  When I issued a call to action for Georgians to help reduce the 
rising tide of teen drug use, Owen was one of the first to answer. He 
served in a volunteer capacity as chairman of the Bibb County Operation 
Drug Free Georgia Committee and was making great strides in his 
community with the program.
  This Saturday, at our second annual statewide drug summit, which is 
dedicated to the memory of Owen and Alfredo, I will present the First 
American Hero Award to Owen's family for the great contributions he 
made to those around him. It has been said that the mark of a great man 
is that his deeds touch the lives of others even after he is gone. I 
know this will be true of Owen. This is a tragic loss, particularly for 
me, but the work that Owen has done will continue to serve as an 
inspiration to us all.

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