[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 90 (Tuesday, June 16, 2009)]
[House]
[Page H6818]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


              WINE TO WATER CHANGES LIVES AROUND THE WORLD

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
North Carolina (Ms. Foxx) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, this recession has been tough on my State of 
North Carolina. With high unemployment haunting our State, it is easy 
to lose sight of the inspiring stories of many who continue to work 
hard at doing good. One of those who committed to doing just that is 
Doc Hendley, the founder of a North Carolina nonprofit called Wine to 
Water based in Boone in the heart of the High Country.
  Doc's vision for this organization is nothing short of inspiring. As 
a person who grew up carrying water, I am particularly sensitive to 
this issue. Doc started Wine to Water after doing some water sanitation 
work in Darfur, Sudan, with Samaritan's Purse, another exceptional 
relief organization located in Boone, North Carolina. Wine to Water was 
founded on the premise of giving the more fortunate members of our 
society an opportunity to bring life-giving water to people without 
access to clean drinking water around the world.
  Wine to Water, which takes its name from the first miracle performed 
by Jesus during his Earthly ministry, took an otherwise everyday event 
like a wine tasting and turned it on its head. By using wine events to 
raise money and awareness about the lack of clean drinking water in the 
developing world, Doc Hendley has harnessed a powerful social force and 
multiplied the generosity of many, including a corps of dedicated ASU 
students who volunteer with Wine to Water. Doc is, in essence, turning 
wine to water for some of the neediest people on the planet.
  The work of Wine to Water in places like Sudan and Cambodia has 
already brought clean water to more than 25,000 people. Today, Doc's 
entrepreneurial spirit and dedication are helping to tap sustainable 
sources of clean water for communities beyond the reach of many 
traditional aid organizations.
  Doc Hendley is setting a compelling example of the value of hard work 
and a vision to help others. He's taken a commonplace object and used 
it to mobilize communities in America to help suffering communities 
around the world.
  He is truly an exceptional North Carolinian, and I want to praise him 
for his dedication to serving needy and suffering people. He has taken 
personal risks to do the hard work of providing water and clean water 
education in far-flung locations around the globe.
  Thank you, Doc and all those who work with Wine to Water, for your 
inspiring example during these difficult times.

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