[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 69 (Tuesday, June 2, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S5576]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TOM WHITTAKER REACHES EVEREST SUMMIT

 Mr. CRAIG. Mr. President, I would like to take a moment to 
congratulate a former Idahoan on his successful climb of the world's 
tallest peak.
  Mr. President, last month I reported to the Senate a story of my 
constituents who were climbing Mount Everest. While the climb is not a 
new adventure to the world, the climbers are. A group of disabled 
Idahoans, led by former Idahoan Tom Whittaker, successfully reached the 
base camp of the Everest peak on May 19. On May 27 Tom continued on to 
the summit with another group, becoming the world's first amputee to 
reach the top.
  Tom had fallen ill the week prior to his final ascent; however, he 
would not be deprived of his ultimate goal. He had tried unsuccessfully 
to make the climb twice in the past, but was forced back by bad 
weather. This time, at the Everest website, climbers from around the 
world are congratulating Tom on his achievement, writing, ``May his 
success inspire you to follow your dreams and know that your abilities 
are far more important than your disabilities, whatever they may be.''
  I would like to share that sentiment with America today. Tom did not 
get to his goal without hard work and sacrifice. He did not succeed on 
the first try. But he would not be denied his dream, and in my mind, 
Tom Whittaker has set an example to be emulated by all.




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