[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 170 (Friday, November 21, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2378]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




IN HONOR OF STIRLING D. SCRUGGS, DIRECTOR, INFORMATION, EXECUTIVE BOARD 
   AND RESOURCE MOBILIZATION DIVISION--UNITED NATIONS POPULATION FUND

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 20, 2003

  Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, at the end of this year, Stirling Scruggs 
will be retiring after 22 dedicated years with the United Nations 
Population Fund (UNFPA). Stirling is a living example of the ideals 
behind the creation of UNFPA and the United Nations itself. A former 
high school football star in Tennessee, Stirling had many opportunities 
open to him in life. But his overriding ambition was one that so many 
of us shared in our youth: to make a difference in the world. Stirling 
has remained true to his youthful ideals and has made a difference, a 
substantial difference measured in millions of women and babies that 
survived because of his dedication and efforts; measured in the 
essential bonds between mothers and their children who survived to know 
each other and in the love of husbands and fathers who, rather than 
seeing their wives and children die in childbirth, have had long and 
full lives with their loved ones.
  In speaking with his colleagues, there are three words that are 
always repeated when they describe Stirling Scruggs--Passion, Integrity 
and Kindness.
  Passion: Stirling Scruggs has worked in some of the poorest places in 
the world. He has seen first hand the deprivations and struggles that 
hundreds of millions--in fact, billions of people--bear every hour, 
every day, every week throughout the year. Stirling Scruggs brings to 
his work a passion that bespeaks his own compassion and his own 
commitment to the cause of basic health, women and voluntary family 
planning around the world.
  Integrity: Stirling combines his passion with unshakable integrity. 
He is unwavering in his commitment to basic health and rights for all 
the world's people. He has stood up for these ideals in some of the 
most difficult circumstances, including in China, where he worked 
tirelessly--as UNFPA does--to convince the Chinese about the greater 
wisdom of a voluntary, rights-based approach to family planning. 
Stirling Scruggs is a monument to personal integrity and professional 
dedication.
  Kindness: Finally, and perhaps most importantly, Stirling brings to 
his work a core kindness--not only in his outlook to the dispossessed 
in our world, but in his dealings with all people. Stirling always has 
a kind word and a warm smile for those he works with, on behalf of and 
for. He is a tender man, who has a compassionate outlook toward those 
less fortunate and a compassionate manner with everyone he relates to.
  There are few better, kinder men than Stirling Scruggs. He has 
represented the United States so well in the United Nations system. All 
Americans can be proud of the service he has rendered and we all wish 
him well as he continues his efforts to make the world--and each of 
us--a little better.

                          ____________________