[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 72 (Wednesday, May 14, 2003)]
[House]
[Page H4019]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING THE SACRIFICE OF LT. COLONEL MICHAEL VIERS

  (Mr. WILSON of South Carolina asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank Lt. 
Colonel Michael Viers for his selfless sacrifice in helping to save the 
life of a little girl in the Second Congressional District of South 
Carolina. Ten-year-old Shawna Crawford, an uninsured immigrant child 
living with her parents in Hardeeville, South Carolina, faced certain 
death just a few months ago as her kidneys began to fail and her family 
had no money to pay for the needed operation. Her plight was championed 
by community leaders Fred Nimmer and David Allgood, along with GSA 
official Mary Joy Jameson.
  JoAnn Coefield of the Second Congressional District's Midlands office 
was able to find the funds through Federal assistance, but Shawna still 
needed a donor kidney. Fortunately, Colonel Viers, a Marine stationed 
at the Marine Recruit Depot at Parris Island, South Carolina, stepped 
forward.
  Michael Viers is a true hero. And just as his fellow troops were 
overseas risking their lives for freedom, he has risked his life to 
provide a future for Shawna Crawford. I ask my colleagues to join me in 
thanking Colonel Viers.
  In conclusion, God bless our troops.

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