[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 31 (Saturday, February 17, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E391-E392]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO LIVING WATER

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. JOHN ABNEY CULBERSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, February 16, 2007

  Mr. CULBERSON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Malcolm S. 
Morris, a constituent from Houston, who is dedicating his

[[Page E392]]

life to the cause of clean, safe water for the needy of the world. Mr. 
Morris is the immediate past chairman of Living Water International, a 
15-year-old faith-based NGO. Living Water has provided water to over 5 
million world-wide on three continents.
  Of particular note, Living Water has completed nearly 400 water 
projects providing clean water to over one million people of Kenya. At 
the urging of Malcolm Morris, Kenyan President Kibaki made a public 
commitment to provide water for the 20 million people of Kenya in need 
of water. In addition, Morris organized the completion of two Peace 
Wells, dedicated by President Kibaki, to end violence between two 
tribes that resulted in 20 deaths on Valentines Day, 2005. In fact, 
Madam Speaker, Mr. Morris and members of the Living Well Board, at the 
direction of President Kibaki and his cabinet, are dedicating a third 
Peace Well next week in Kenya.
  Malcolm Morris practices what he preaches. His actions are an 
expression of his faith--to provide clean water and basic sanitation to 
one child, one family, one village at a time. Through Malcolm Morris' 
leadership and vision, the men and women of Living Water have become 
vessels of healing.
  Now operating in 22 countries, Living Water has trained over 1,200 
volunteers in drilling, pumping repair, and health and hygiene 
training. The number of persons being served is doubling nearly every 
18 months. I should note that Mr. Morris is not just an observer of the 
international water crisis. He is a drill instructor, conducting drill 
training camps and has led water teams to schools in both Africa and 
Central America.
  In addition to his ongoing involvement with Living Water, Malcolm 
Morris founded and serves as Chairman of the Millennium Water 
Alliance--a group of water related NGO's that includes Living Water 
International, Africare, CARE, Catholic Relief Services, Emmanual 
International, Food for the Hungary, Lifewater International, Water for 
People, Water Missions international, WaterPartners international and 
World Vision. UNICEF acts in an advisory capacity to the MWA. The 
mission of the MWA is to initiate needed water and sanitation projects 
in an efficient and transparent manner.
  Recently, as a result of Mr. Morris' strong and consistent advocacy, 
Congress passed a bill known as the Paul Simon Water for the Poor Act. 
The legislation makes access to safe water and sanitation for 
developing countries a specific policy objective of U.S. foreign 
assistance programs. The legislation will improve the quality of lives 
for millions of people around the world. Malcolm's insightfulness and 
persuasiveness made a legislative dream a reality.

  One final mention, Madam Speaker. I should note that Malcolm Morris 
is Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer of a Fortune 1000 company--
Stewart Title Guaranty Company, headquartered in Houston.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to rise and join me in tribute to 
Malcolm S. Morris. With the dedication of the water wells in Kenya, the 
peace spigot has been turned on. Clean water is a source of life and 
sustainable development. Simply put, Mr. Morris has demonstrated that 
we should view water as a currency for Peace.

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