Posted on 01/24/2007 10:18:10 AM PST by presidio9
Rockets center Dikembe Mutombo, seated next to first lady Laura Bush and proudly flashing his familiar broad smile, was honored by President George Bush Tuesday at the State of the Union Address in Washington.
Mutombo, working almost daily, raised $29 million (donating $15 million himself) for the construction of the Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital and Research Center in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Mutombo plans to open the hospital — Kinshasa's first new one in 40 years — this summer. It is named for his mother, who died nine years ago when civil unrest and a curfew prevented her from getting to a hospital.
Mutombo was honored during Bush's speech as an example of "heroic kindness, courage and self-sacrifice."
"When America serves others," Bush said, "we show the strength and generosity of our country.
"The greatest strength we have is the heroic kindness, courage and self-sacrifice of the American people. You see this spirit often if you know where to look — and tonight we need only look above to the gallery.
"Dikembe Mutombo grew up in Africa, amid great poverty and disease. He came to Georgetown University on a scholarship to study medicine, but coach John Thompson took a look at Dikembe and had a different idea. Dikembe became a star in the NBA and a citizen of the United States. But he never forgot the land of his birth — or the duty to share his blessings with others. He built a brand-new hospital in his old hometown.
"A friend has said of this good-hearted man: 'Mutombo believes that God has given him this opportunity to do great things.' And we're proud to call this son of the Congo a citizen of the United States of America."
Said Mutombo in a phone interview afterward: "My heart was full of joy. I didn't know the president was going to say such great remarks. He raised me so high. I'm so happy. I'm so proud to be a citzen of the United States of America and to be recognized for my work. God is good to have put this work in my heart."
well, this immigrant sure does. Watch that brush stroke..
Really?
She makes me ill.
(jmo)
She has wimpified this country.
Ya know, for a cheese-eating surrender monkey, ol' Chirac has the "dignified elder statesman" look down pat, particularly in profile.
I agree with you. I don't care for her show, but I see her as a talented woman who tries to improve life where she can. I admire her book club suggestions. I don't know everything she suggests, but she has helped people begin to read classical literature. I think she deserves praise for these things. And I think her financial support of the African school for girls deserves a lot of praise.
;-)
p.s. I just had three great hard boiled eggs with hot tabasco sauce.
Sweet!
"WHO WANTS TO SEX MUTOMBO??" Rome ping.
}:-)4
yeah..you've never heard of Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton and Company?
Actually, I have a positive perception of 99% of all of the immigrants that I know (legal and illegal, btw). I try not to make generalizations about people I don't know. I would not include public figures in that category of course. I was just making the point (which now seems relevant on this thread) that immigrants are just people. Most are good. Some are horrible.
I think the Biblical view is that "She has received her reward."
Why...... why don't you care for her show?
I hate her show. Just asking you. What don't you like about Oprah's show ...... other than the fact that it's making much of our (mostly female) population a pile of unthinking, sobbing, and needy liberal-loving fools.
The scary thing about Chirac, is that he is about the most conservative French ruler that we are going to see for a long time. Unless the Islamofacists take over, that is...
I don't watch any show like that. Actually, I can't watch it because I work during the day. But given that I don't like any show like that that I've ever seen, I'm extending my likes and dislikes to cover her show.
He is a national treasure. What a generous and humble man he is. I love Africans.
YES, and you're so right. I have friends who are Nigerian and Christian and absolutely wonderful folks. I've known quite a few professors from Africa as well and liked them all.They have a completely different outlook than American blacks do.
Was it just me or did the subway hero get the longest applause?
I especially enjoyed this moment last night because I used to watch Mutombo play college basketball years ago when he was with the Georgetown Hoyas. He is definitely a great role model!
Africans have sex at a very early age. It doesn't seem to be forbidden as it is here between youngsters. My friend had a beautiful blonde daughter when they went to Africa as missionaries and young boys were always asking if they could 'have' her. Common there.
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