[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 60 (Tuesday, May 16, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S4003]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            TRIBUTE TO LAMPTON O'NEAL ``TREY'' WILLIAMS III

  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, today I rise to pay tribute to an 
extraordinary young man who has persevered to overcome significant 
obstacles in his life and who, in spite of these obstacles, has 
excelled. Lampton O'Neal ``Trey'' Williams III, of Hattiesburg, 
Mississippi, exemplifies the qualities of courage, dedication, 
commitment, and self-discipline that harken back to the days of this 
great nation's founding fathers who likewise employed these values to 
overcome seemingly insurmountable adversity. With this graduation from 
the Presbyterian Christian School in Hattiesburg on Friday, May 19, 
2000, I express my most heartfelt and warmest congratulations to Trey 
on this extraordinary accomplishment.
  As a deaf student, Trey has been saddled in life with a hardship that 
many of us will never be forced to carry. Yet, from an early age, Trey 
refused to allow his disability to overcome him and, instead, set out 
to conquer his disability. As a young boy, Trey was enrolled in The 
University of Southern Mississippi DuBard School for Language Disorders 
where his eagerness, ability to learn, and refusal to yield to his 
disability quickly warmed him to the hearts of all around him. During 
his tenure at the DuBard School, Trey excelled in speech, lip reading, 
learning language and academic skills. However, Trey's passion for 
learning and his commitment to his education did not end there.
  In 1992, having secured from the DuBard School the skills and 
abilities he would need to live a full and free life with his 
disability, Trey took the noble and daunting step of enrolling in 
regular education classes at the Presbyterian Christian School in 
Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Throughout his years at the Presbyterian 
Christian School Trey has continuously challenged himself and has 
demanded only the best from himself. His motivation, self-discipline 
and character have earned Trey the highest praise from his teachers and 
the respect of all who know him. And while Trey's forthcoming 
graduation from the Presbyterian Christian School is a truly 
extraordinary achievement in and of itself, it is only part of the 
story. As the result of his academic excellence and exceptional 
accomplishments over the past several years, Trey has earned a college 
scholarship. I have no doubt that Trey's strength of character and 
commitment to his education will result in a college career marked with 
awards and honors only few can ever expect to achieve.
  Mr. President, Trey's dedication, commitment and perseverance is 
unique and truly commendable. With his graduation on May 19, 2000, Trey 
will receive a concrete representation of his years of perseverance--
his diploma. And while his accomplishments thus far deserve the highest 
praise and commendation, I have no doubt this young man's future will 
be marked by even greater accomplishments. Trey's refusal to yield to 
his disability and his determination to overcome it should serve as an 
inspiration and motivation to all of us. It is an example of what we 
can achieve when we demand the most from ourselves. I want to extend my 
highest congratulations to Trey on his graduation and wish only the 
best for him in the future.

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