[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 132 (Thursday, September 17, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2307]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO DR. DEAN HARMS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TOM LATHAM

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 17, 2009

  Mr. LATHAM. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate 
Dr. Dean Harms of Ames, Iowa as the Ames Tribune's 2009 Unsung Hero.
   The Unsung Hero award honors people who quietly but generously give 
their time and talents to help others. In 2003, as president of the 
Rotary Club in Ames, Dr. Harms began searching for ways to serve 
people. During his search he found that his friend, Doug Perry, who 
served with him in the U.S. Air Force, had started a mission in El 
Porvenir, Honduras. Doug welcomed Dr. Harms aboard and he has since 
been volunteering his time off and on in Honduras for six years. Dr. 
Harms mostly conducts eye surgeries but does other procedures as well.
   When Doug passed away, Dr. Harms took it upon himself to continue 
the mission along with his friends Chuck and Carolyn Jons, who 
nominated him for this award. With the help of his friends and the 
community, Dr. Harms also successfully spearheaded the construction of 
a high school library in El Porvenir and established reading and 
literacy programs for local citizens.
   Dr. Harms' eagerness to utilize his talents to improve the lives of 
others serves as a wonderful example of human compassion. I consider it 
an honor to represent Dr. Dean Harms in the United States Congress, and 
I know my colleagues join me in commending Dr. Harms on his well-
deserved award. I wish him all the best in his continued voluntary 
service and future endeavors.

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