IN MEMORIAM

BURLINGTON -- On July 2, 1994, Warren E. Wise, 33, of
Burlington died from AIDS—related complications. Warren is
survived by his family in North Carolina, many friends, and his
life partner Brad Daughtry.

At Warren's burial in North Carolina, Brad shared his personal
feelings about Warren and read the two letters that follow.
Warren received one of the letters in 1978 as a result of being
awarded a prestigious Morehead Scholarship and wrote the
second letter in response in 1993.

United States Senate
Washington. D.C. 20510

April 24, 1978
Dear Warren.

I was pleased to learn of your selection to be a Morehead
Scholar at the l lniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

This is certainly an outstanding achievement. The competition
is tough and only the finest young people are considered for this
prestigious scholarship award.

Allow me to offer my best wishes for your continued success as
you advance in your studies and sharpen your skills in
preparation for the challenges of the future. Kindest regards.

Sincerely,
Jeeoe Helrne
February l3, 1993

Mr. Jesse Helms
United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510

Dear Senator Helms,

I was reminiscing fondly about North Carolina today and going
through some old memorabilia. I came across a letter I received
from you in a box ofcorrespondence from an exciting time in
my life. In that letter you congratulated me on becoming a
Morehead Scholar at the University of North Carolina. You
said in that letter, that winning a Morehead "...is certainly an
outstanding achievement. The competition is tough and only
the finest young people are considered for this prestigious
scholarship award."

Let me thank you again for offering me these accolades many
years ago. I have tried to contribute to my community and our
great country in the spirit of leadership and service where the
Morehead Foundation found its roots. I have served when called
by government leaders on government task forces dealing with
complex issues of education, infrastructure and the environment.

  
   
   
    
      
   

September 1994

My upbringing in a solid North Carolina family has given me the
courage to serve despite some who would see my service as less
than acceptable. You see, Mr. Helms, I am gay.

My partner and I live a quiet life, attending church, serving
meals to the homeless, working on community projects, and
trying to break barriers of hatred in our nation. I implore you
to give up some of the venomous hatred you profess in your
dealings with sensitive issues surrounding the gay and lesbian
community. I am no less the young man with hopes and
dreams setting out to help the world than I was a decade and a
half ago when I was leaving for Chapel Hill and you sent me
such a nice letter of send off.

I wish you well and hope you will find it in your heart to take a
gentler and more humane stance on gay issues in future years.

Sincerely,
Warren E. Wiec

Contributions in Warren ’s memory may be sent to the Unitarian
Universalist Society ofBurlington, 152 Pearl St., Burlington,
VT 0540]. or Vermont CARES. 30 ElmwoodAve., Burlington,
VT 0540].

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