[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 121 (Thursday, July 26, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1628]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   TRIBUTE TO RALPH NAPPI AND THE MAKE-A-WISH FOUNDATION OF THE MID-
                            ATLANTIC REGION

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHRIS VAN HOLLEN

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 26, 2007

  Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Madam Speaker, there are few who are not familiar 
with the wonderful work of the Make-A-Wish-Foundation of the Mid-
Atlantic, Inc.--a non-profit organization that fulfills the wishes of 
children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich their lives 
with hope, strength and joy. One of the most successful Make-A-Wish 
chapters in the country, the Mid-Atlantic Chapter, is headquartered in 
my congressional district, in Kensington, Maryland.
  The gentleman most responsible for this remarkable success--the Mid-
Atlantic Chapter's President and CEO for 17 of its 24 years, Mr. Ralph 
Nappi--is retiring this month.
  During Ralph's tenure, the Foundation has grown from fulfilling 40 
wishes a year to more than 400, having a significant impact on the 
lives of children in Maryland, Washington, DC, Northern Virginia and 
Delaware. Ralph has set a standard of excellence that is a model for 
the other 71 chapters across the U.S. and the 28 around the world.
  Founded in 1983, the Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Mid-Atlantic, Inc. 
has fulfilled the wishes of more than 5,600 children fighting illnesses 
such as cancer, pediatric AIDS, cystic fibrosis, Duchene's muscular 
dystrophy and heart disease. Remarkably, it has granted the wish of 
every courageous child referred to it since its founding. Nationally, 
the Make-A-Wish Foundation has granted the wishes of 150,743 children--
granting one wish every 41 minutes.
  A wish fulfilled creates a memorable experience for a child fighting 
a life-threatening medical condition and gives that child something 
wonderful to focus on rather than on medical treatments and hospital 
visits. Recent wishes granted by the Mid-Atlantic chapter include 
visiting Walt Disney World, taking a family vacation to Australia, 
receiving a home computer, having a bedroom redecorated and meeting the 
Backstreet Boys.
  On behalf of my constituents in Maryland's Eighth Congressional 
District, especially those who have benefited from the wonderful work 
of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, I congratulate Ralph Nappi on his 
outstanding leadership and thank him for all that he has done. He will 
be missed greatly by many as he enjoys his well-deserved retirement.




                          ____________________