Everest 2003: Charlie Wittmack
Dispatch

Charlie landed safely at Des Moines International Airport at 9:15 on Monday night to a group of flag waiving family, friends, students, and media. Since that time he has had the opportunity to share his experience on radio, TV and in the printed media.  He has been surprised (and a bit embarrassed) by the attention.

This morning he was asked to the Iowa Senate chamber by Senate President, Mary Kramer, to be present for discussion and voting on Senate Resolution #45, below. He received a standing ovation and was asked to make a few remarks. His comments were well received and Senators hoped that they would be shared outside of the chambers.  His comments follow: “It is a great honor to stand before this assembly today.  The last several months of my life have been filled with this feeling as I set out in pursuit of a dream while representing the people of our state.  In my mind there is no greater honor than the representation of the people and no pursuit more important than the chasing of a dream.

“Many of the people that I met during the expedition to Mount Everest found it surprising that an individual would pursue a goal so different from the environment of his raising.  Many laughed at the idea of an Iowa Mountaineer, casting me in to the company of the Jamaican Bobsled team or the carnival’s bearded lady.  I had to confess that Iowa is not a land filled with mountain climbers while explaining that my personality is, in fact, quite representative our state.

“As Iowans, the trait we share is the dedication to the unrelenting pursuit of our dreams."

“As an example I explained to my skeptical friends, that our state is more than a thousand miles from any ocean and offers a class in marine biology to high school students.  It is a place where 10 or 15 or 20 thousand friends gather each summer to ride their bicycles from one border’s river to the other.  It is the insurance capital of the world, an important communications hub and has a University that provides a critical backbone to the World Wide Web.  We had the first college or university to offer academic credit for thesis graduate studies in the arts, which allowed the creation of a creative writing program that today, is widely considered the finest in the world.  That same University was the first in the union to admit women.

“We have raised astronauts, movie stars, and a US President.  Even the incredible James T. Kirk, the ultimate dreamer, calls Iowa home.  We are the home of the “Field of Dreams” and have covered bridges that across the world are a symbol of true love.

“The list goes on and on.  And as I look at it now, I can’t help but think that Iowans really are the luckiest people in the world.

“On Mount Everest I was challenged by some of the most difficult weather the mountain has suffered in recorded history.  Had I been climbing alone I would have surely turned around when the temperatures dropped and the winds began to peak, but as I climbed over the Hillary Step and trudged slowly towards the summit I felt the support of all of those back home.  My feet became a little lighter, my breathing a bit steadier, and soon enough we reached that summit together.

“So as the 21st century comes crashing in around us and we face increasingly serious economic and social challenges let’s not forget our greatest qualities.  If we can continue to dream, and continue to work together, I am certain the summit is just ahead."

“Thank you again for this great honor.” Charlie.

Dispatches