[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 68 (Tuesday, June 6, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E901]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     IN HONOR OF THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MAKE-A-WISH FOUNDATION

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. FRANK R. WOLF

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 6, 2000

  Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, I am proud today to honor the 20th anniversary 
of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, a non-profit organization that fulfills 
the wishes of children fighting life-threatening illnesses.
  In 1980, a 7-year-old boy named Chris, from Arizona, who was fighting 
leukemia wished to be a police officer. Friends of Chris's family 
worked to fulfill his wish and in April that year, Chris spent a day 
learning about being a police officer and was even sworn in as the 
first-ever and only Honorary State Trooper in Arizona history.
  Shortly after Chris's wish, the Make-A-Wish Foundation was created to 
help bring happiness to more children. From this humble start, the 
Make-A-Wish Foundation has grown and now has 80 chapters in the United 
States and 20 international affiliates. More than 80,000 children 
fighting life-threatening illnesses worldwide have had their wishes 
fulfilled. Popular wishes include visiting Walt Disney theme parks, 
getting home computer systems, taking family vacations, and meeting 
celebrities.
  Two months ago, one of my constituents had his wish fulfilled by 
Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Mid-Atlantic, Inc. Last year, 7-year-old 
Ryan Davidson of Ashburn, VA, was diagnosed with a life-threatening 
illness. It was devastating to him and his family.
  When the Make-A-Wish Foundation asked Ryan what his greatest wish 
was, it didn't surprise anyone that he wanted to meet NASCAR driver 
Bobby Labonte. Ryan learned about auto racing while playing video games 
and became an instant fan. Of all the drivers, Labonte is his favorite. 
On April 26, Ryan, his father Kirby, his mother Amy and his sister 
Mallory traveled to California where they visited a NASCAR racetrack, 
watched the action close up and met Labonte. Ryan came home with loads 
of memories and souvenirs, including his favorite--an autographed 
collector's edition of Labonte's car. Ryan's wish was a great success. 
``This is the best day of my life,'' he told his parents after meeting 
Labonte.
  The Make-A-Wish Foundation gives children fighting life-threatening 
illnesses a positive break from a world of doctors, hospitals and 
medicine. I salute the Make-A-Wish Foundation's volunteers and 
supporters who work to make wishes come true not only in Virginia's 
10th Congressional District, but literally all over the world. I invite 
those interested in leavning more about the Foundation to contact them 
at 1-800-722-9474 or on the Internet at www.wish.org.

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