[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 166 (Monday, November 17, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2301]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING WILLIAM J. MULVI-HILL, SR. AS HE RECEIVES THE ARTHRITIS 
    FOUNDATION'S CHARLES B. HARDING AWARD FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ROB PORTMAN

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, November 17, 2003

  Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor William J. Mulvihill, 
a friend and constituent, who received the Arthritis Foundation's 
prestigious Charles B. Harding Award during the Foundation's national 
meeting on November 14, 2003. The Arthritis Foundation is the only 
nationwide nonprofit organization leading efforts to prevent, control 
and cure arthritis, which is our nation's number one cause of 
disability.
  The Charles B. Harding Award is the highest honor the Arthritis 
Foundation presents for service as a volunteer. The award was 
established in 1976 and is given annually to the individual who best 
exemplifies the highest standards of concern and commitment to the 
arthritis cause. Previous recipients of this high honor include former 
First Lady Betty Ford and actress Jane Wyman.
  Bill has spent more than 20 years raising awareness and advocating on 
behalf of the more than 43 million people affected by arthritis and its 
related diseases. Diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at the age of 25, 
he became active locally in the Southwestern Ohio Chapter of the 
Arthritis Foundation, and went on to serve as Senior Chair, Chair and 
Vice President.
  In 1985, Bill became active with the Foundation on the national 
level, becoming a member of the House of Delegates and later National 
Vice Chair, Treasurer, a member of the Board of Trustees and National 
Chair. As National Chair, he was responsible for leading nearly 600,000 
volunteers and staff nationwide. He is currently Trustee Emeritus, and 
is a member of the National Medical and Scientific Council. Bill also 
serves on the Board of Directors of the Alliance for Lupus Research, 
where he is a founding member.
  A native Cincinnatian, Bill is Senior Associate Athletic Director at 
the University of Cincinnati, and has been with U.C. for 30 years. He 
is in his 24th year as head of the athletic department's fundraising 
efforts, and previously held positions in Alumni Affairs and Public 
Affairs. He is a graduate of St. Xavier High School, and received his 
Bachelor's of Business Administration from the University of Cincinnati 
and his Master's of Education from Ohio University.
  Bill and his wife, Beth, live in Anderson Township. Their son, Billy, 
is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati and is a valued member of 
the staff of the U.S. House of Representatives' Committee on Ways and 
Means.
  All of us in Southern Ohio congratulate Bill on receiving this 
prestigious honor, and appreciate his dedicated service.

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