[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 104 (Wednesday, July 27, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S9153]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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              IN RECOGNITION OF DR. H. WESLEY TOWERS, JR.

 Mr. CARPER. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize Dr. H. 
Wesley Towers Jr. upon his retirement as State Veterinarian after 37 
years of dedicated service. He is a man with a kind heart, diverse 
interests and great abilities. Wesley embodies the best of Delaware.
  ``Doc,'' as he was fondly known, was born on August 15, 1942 in 
Wilmington, DE. He spent much of his youth with his grandfather, the 
farm manager on E.E. du Pont's Greenville, DE, estate, ``Dogwood.'' He 
loved the country, the farm work, and the animals. When the local 
veterinarian came to tend the livestock, Doc knew what he wanted to be.
  Doc graduated high school in 1960 from P.S. Dupont, and went on to 
study animal and poultry science at the University of Delaware, 
graduating with honors and distinction in 1964. He spent the next four 
years at the University of Pennsylvania veterinary school, graduating 
in 1968, and went on to become Delaware's vet almost by chance.
  After veterinary school, Doc took a job in Kent County as an 
apprentice to the State veterinarian. At the same time, Harrington and 
Georgetown racetracks offered him a temporary night job overseeing 
racehorses. Several weeks later, the track vet had a stroke, leaving 
him unable to resume race work. The temporary job became a full-time, 
second job for Doc. The following year in 1969, the State vet retired 
and Doc was appointed in his place.
  Doc has the Nation's fourth largest poultry industry to protect, a 
rabies epidemic to police, and race courses to regulate. Containing and 
excluding contagious and infectious animal and poultry diseases is his 
priority, with public enemy No. 1 being avian flu, a virulent 
respiratory ailment that devastates poultry. Doc and his team work hard 
at their jobs to ensure that any outbreaks of avian flu are contained.
  During his time as State vet, Doc has received the Department of 
Agriculture's Employee of the Year award, the University of Delaware's 
Worrilow Award for service to agriculture and Delaware's coveted Award 
for Excellence and Commitment to State Service. At the University of 
Delaware, Doc is a part of the Agricultural Alumni Association, the 
Alumni Association board, the Career Planning and Placement advisory 
committee, the phone-a-thons, and the ``Alumni in the Classroom'' 
program.
  Doc spends much of his free time championing causes in which he 
believes. He testifies in SPCA cases, including revelations over local 
``puppy mills.'' He is involved with the racing commissions, the State 
Fair Board and the Tri-State Bird Rescue group. In addition, Doc enjoys 
gardening, traveling, hunting, cooking and taking trips to the beach.
  Doc is married to his college sweetheart, Sarah. The two met in a 
chemistry laboratory at the University of Delaware, and were married on 
June 25, 1966. They have two children, Laura and David, and four 
grandchildren, Mark, Annie, Matthew and Davey. Sarah describes her 
husband over almost forty years as a patient, kind and loving man who 
loves to be around people. He is fortunate to wake up every morning and 
go to a job that he loves.
  After retirement, Doc plans to spend his time pursuing his hobbies, 
volunteering, and most importantly, continuing to raise his beloved 
Delaware blue hens. I rise today to honor Doc and to thank him for the 
friendship that we share. Through his tireless efforts, Doc has made a 
profound difference in the lives of thousands and enhanced the quality 
of life for an entire State. Upon his retirement, he will leave behind 
a legacy of commitment to public service for both his children and 
grandchildren and for the generations that will follow. I congratulate 
him on a truly remarkable and distinguished career. I wish him and his 
family only the very best in all that lies ahead for each of 
them.

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