National ONE Vote ‘08 Co-Chairman, former U.S. Senate Majority Leader and doctor, Bill Frist did some incredible outreach for the ONE Campaign in South Carolina last week. One story he told, at a luncheon at the Capital City Club in Columbia, really stood out to me:

Late one evening, after he had completed surgeries on several people in Sudan, and he thought he was finished for the night, a man whose arm had been severed came asking for the “American Doctor.”

Senator Frist said, “The man did not seek me out because I was doctor, but because I am an American.” The man wanted to thank Senator Frist for demonstrating that America cares about Africa and that the senator’s presence in Africa gave him hope of one day realizing the American ideals, such as freedoms we too often take for granted. During a State of The Union Address, Senator Frist said he had “realized the greatness of the spirit of America” and “because of our greatness we have the opportunity to provide clean water and provide health care and do it with a humanitarian purpose, which is the purpose of the ONE Campaign.”

Over eighty of South Carolina’s finest from the education, faith, political and business communities attended the event. Special guests included the ONE Vote ‘08 South Carolina Co-Chairman Governor Jim Hodges, State Director for Congressman Wilson’s office Butch Wallace; former U.S. Ambassador to Tanzania Robert Royall; SC Democrat Party Chairman Carol Fowler; Founding Partner of ViaNovo Tucker Eskew; and the S.C. Attorney General Henry McMaster.

We were very appreciative of all that Senator Frist does for ONE Vote ‘08, both nationally and within the state of South Carolina. His impact has already been felt as members of the audience are continuously reminding us of how successful the event was and how they now wish to contribute to our purpose.

-Wes Mishoe