|
|
|
profile
Living Legacy Society Members
What motivates a UCS member to leave a legacy gift?
 |
For Peggy and John Garvey, the reasons stem from a three-decades-long association with UCS and an appreciation of the scientific credibility and effective advocacy UCS brings to public policy debates concerning global security and the environment. From their own backgrounds in the physical and biological sciences, they well understand the need for an authoritative scientific voice to counter the confusion and misinformation that often surrounds these critical issues. Because they wanted to make a more substantial contribution to this vital work, John and Peggy added UCS as a beneficiary when they updated their wills in 1993. And two years ago, they became members of the Henry Kendall Society.
Both are native Californians who grew up and now live in the greater Los Angeles area. Following three years in the U.S. Navy, John received a master's degree in physics from the University of Southern California. He then worked as a systems analyst in the aerospace industry for 31 years, until his retirement from Hughes-Raytheon in 1993. "During the 1980s," he recalls, "I was involved in a number of feasibility studies relating to the so-called 'Star Wars' program, and I soon became convinced that the claims made for the viability of space weapons were unfounded. So I was especially interested when the UCS newsletter ran a series of technical articles on the subject that effectively debunked these claims." Earlier, John had been impressed with UCS's reporting and analysis of the Three Mile Island nuclear accident in 1979. "UCS was my primary source of accurate technical information about that incident," he notes.
Last year, utilizing links from the UCS website, John was able to cite relevant experimental data in responding to several letters questioning the scientific validity of global warming that appeared in a local newspaper. His letter was published and elicited additional reader responses. John sees this as an example of how resources provided by UCS can help concerned citizens, as well as professional scientists, to engage effectively in public debate of scientific issues.
Peggy's early interest in the biological sciences led her to pursue a degree in microbiology from California State University, Long Beach. Following her graduation, she worked as a medical technologist at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center until her retirement in 1999. With this background, she has taken a special interest in UCS's recent efforts to combat the misuse of antibiotics in commercial livestock production. In retirement, she has become an avid gardener, and leads docent tours for school children at a local botanical garden. She also tutors children in reading at a neighborhood school.
The Garveys are both music lovers and contribute to several musical organizations, as well as church-sponsored and other charities. John is also an amateur pianist, while Peggy enjoys following her artistic bent.
We are proud to count John and Peggy Garvey among the members of the Living Legacy Society. Their commitment to environmental health and global security will last throughout their lifetimes and beyond, and we are grateful for their partnership. |
|
|
 |
|
| | | | |
© Union of Concerned Scientists
Page Last Revised: 08/17/05 |
|
|
