[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 71 (Wednesday, May 2, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E919]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    IN HONOR OF DR. ARTHUR J. AMMANN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JIM McDERMOTT

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 1, 2007

  Mr. McDERMOTT. Madam Chairman, it is a privilege and a great personal 
pleasure to join in honoring my old friend and classmate, and a great 
humanitarian leader, Dr. Arthur J. Ammann. Art's selection as Alumnus 
of the Year at Wheaton College will stand as one of the defining 
moments in the proud and distinguished history of this institution, 
because it recognizes a compassionate, courageous man who has made a 
world of difference in our world.
  As young Wheaton College students, Art and I lived the vow of 
poverty, as do college students everywhere. One of my most cherished 
memories is Art inviting me to join his family in Brooklyn, New York, 
during a holiday. Suffice to say that was the first time I had ever 
been to Brooklyn, and the visit opened the eyes of this young, naive 
suburban Chicago kid, teaching me that we all share the same hopes, 
dreams and aspirations for a brighter tomorrow, no matter our surname 
or address.
  The Bible and this institution call upon us to live the teachings of 
the Lord, and there is no better example of living Christianity than 
Art Ammann. He began his professional career--as did I--by taking an 
oath to use all of his powers to heal the sick. While the oath comes 
from the Greek philosopher Hippocrates, the faith to heal comes 
directly from the Bible: ``My son, attend to my words; incline thine 
ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in 
the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, 
and health to all their flesh. Keep thy heart with all diligence; for 
out of it are the issues of life.'' (Proverbs 4:20-23)
  Art is a brilliant physician who has focused his intellect on healing 
children and finding a cure for the HIV/AIDS pandemic that has claimed 
so many lives and robbed so many nations of an entire generation. While 
my old friend is far too modest to seek recognition, the truth is, 
without Art the death toll would be higher and hope for a cure would be 
lower. It was Dr. Arthur Ammann's pioneering research in the early 
1980's, before the world knew of this terrible disease, that identified 
two of the three ways HIV is transmitted, and it was Art who first 
diagnosed the HIV infection in children.
  As a man of unwavering courage, compassion and conviction, Dr. Arthur 
Ammann did not confine his leadership exclusively to the field of 
medical research. Over the years, Art has served his community and 
country in preeminent roles such as the Presidential Task Force for 
AIDS Drug Development, and he has been honored many, many times. This 
prodigious man of science has authored or co-authored, quite literally, 
hundreds of books and scientific articles, and he didn't hesitate when 
asked to guide Wheaton College as it prepared its response to the HIV/
AIDS crisis.
  As a visionary scientist and yet a humble servant of the Lord, Dr. 
Arthur Ammann always has plowed the fruits of his labor back into the 
soil, so that it might nourish, protect and save others. Art founded 
Global Strategies for HIV Prevention 10 years ago. It quickly has 
become a widely respected non-profit organization, dedicated to 
preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS, and supplying life-saving medicine 
to women and children worldwide. How purely this work reflects the 
words of the Bible: ``. . . Blessed are the merciful: for they shall 
obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. 
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of 
God . . .'' (Matthew 5:3-11)
  Dr. Arthur J. Ammann has spent a lifetime displaying the strength of 
a lion, a heart of gold, and a spirit of living life according to the 
teachings of Jesus. His wife, Marilyn, and his children, Kimberly and 
Scott, have long known what many now will understand: Dr. Arthur J. 
Ammann is a good man, who does the Lord's work for the sake of peace 
and humanity. My friend Art Ammann is an uncommon man who renews our 
faith by the way he lives his faith.
  Best wishes and congratulations to Dr. Arthur J. Ammann, the 2007 
Wheaton College Alumnus of the Year for Distinguished Service to 
Society.

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