[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 129 (Sunday, October 10, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1858]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   RECOGNIZING LIEUTENANT RYAN CASPER

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. RON KIND

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 7, 2004

  Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the good works of 
first Lieutenant Ryan Casper, who has served both his country and the 
Iraq community in an astounding manner. Lt. Casper, an Army Reservist 
serving in the 477th Ambulance Company, has demonstrated unyielding 
dedication to improving the dire situation thousands of Iraqi students 
are experiencing.
  Lt. Casper, a history teacher from Ellsworth High School, has 
extended his passion for education from his classroom in Wisconsin into 
the Iraq community. He has been instrumental in meeting the needs of 
the students by restoring educational structures in Iraq. The 
deteriorating infrastructure of the education facilities and the 
absence of essential school supplies generated Lt. Casper's inspiration 
to create a charity that ministered to the needs of school-aged 
children. Lt. Casper understands that a sanitary and well-equipped 
facility is necessary before a quality education can be achieved.
  As an active member of the military for twenty years, Lt. Casper is 
executive officer of a ground ambulance company that transports 
patients and medical supplies from Baghdad to Southern Iraq. Casper's 
charity, the 477th Hearts and Minds Club, has provided numerous 
children with school supplies. Lt. Casper's operation was made 
successful by the donations he received from citizens in the United 
States. The largest contributor to his cause were Ellsworth High School 
students who collected over a thousand items to be used by students in 
Iraq. The supplies donated to the Hearts and Minds Club were delivered 
to various schools during ambulance runs performed by Lt. Casper's 
unit.
  Lt. Casper's actions were successful in furnishing Iraqi schools with 
essential supplies, but more importantly, his actions altered the 
mindset of students in Iraq. The poor perception of American soldiers 
by Iraqi children wavered with the arrival of new materials. The once 
feared soldier was transformed into a heroic character overnight.
  In October of 2003, and September of 2004, to personally lend my 
support to the troops engaged in this war, I had the great privilege of 
visiting Iraq. I met with troops and received a first-hand assessment 
of the reconstruction activities. After witnessing the poor conditions 
facing many citizens of Iraq, I felt great inspiration that one of my 
constituents had demonstrated such steadfast leadership in serving both 
his country and the citizens of Iraq. I would like to congratulate and 
thank Lt. Ryan Casper for his perseverance and unselfish desire to 
improve the world around him. Lt. Casper once said, ``A goodwill 
gesture can go a long way in this country and hopefully we can supply 
that gesture.''

                          ____________________