[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 7258]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              TRIBUTE TO LT. COL. WAYNE POTTER, VOLUNTEER

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. SOLOMON P. ORTIZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 21, 2004

  Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a man who 
selflessly dedicated his life to aid those who need it most. Wayne 
Potter of Harlingen was a man who went to great lengths to improve the 
community.
  He took the time to volunteer. Even when his health was failing, he 
still found the time and energy to keep up with what was so important 
to him: his mission of volunteering. His life was an example we should 
all aspire to emulate.
  Mr. Potter aided those patients who are mentally ill. He also served 
as volunteer board member of the Family Crisis Center, the Public 
Library, the Retired Teachers Association and the Rio Grande Valley 
Museum.
  As a public official he was Harlingen City Commissioner and served a 
term as Mayor Pro Tem. His presence and his energy in the community 
have been sorely missed since we lost him last year.
  Wayne Potter was a philanthropist for his country, his fellow 
teachers, neighbors and friends. As a math and science teacher, Mr. 
Potter ensured children's concerns were not overlooked; he served as a 
mentor and counselor to them in their time of need. During War World II 
when his country was in need, he enlisted in the United States Air 
Force, attaining the rank of Lt. Colonel.
  Mr. Potter's service and volunteer efforts are greatly missed in The 
Rio Grande State Center. Since the center opened its doors, Mr. Potter 
volunteered his time and served as an officer of the organization. By 
the time of his passing, he had given 20,000 hours of his personal time 
to others. Mr. Potter leaves a legacy we all admired; as the Good Book 
says: ``It is better to give than to receive.'' That's how Wayne Potter 
lived his life.
  Mr. Speaker, the volunteering community of South Texas will honor Mr. 
Potter's memory and lifetime of service by naming the 55-bed mental 
health unit at the Rio Grande State Center the ``Wayne Potter Memorial 
Building.'' His volunteering efforts will now live on through his name 
on the Center, which was so important to him, and his spirit of 
generosity.
  I ask my colleagues to join me today in commending the life and 
service of Mr. Wayne Potter, and in paying tribute to this great 
example of a man whose efforts and dedication made a difference in his 
community, with his students, and in the lives of those less fortunate 
than most of us.

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