ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Wednesday, May 22, 1996                TAG: 9605220065
SECTION: VIRGINIA                 PAGE: C-3  EDITION: METRO 
DATELINE: CHANTILLY 
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS

FLYING HOSPITAL FORMALLY DUBBED A `POINT OF LIGHT'

Former President Bush christened a $25million ``flying hospital'' Tuesday, calling the specially equipped plane ``a point of light in action.''

The plane, built for religious broadcaster Pat Robertson's Operation Blessing relief group, will fly its first mission to El Salvador next month, Robertson said.

That trip will be followed by humanitarian visits to Ukraine and India this summer. The plane and its medical staff of 17 can provide emergency care and perform operations in medically underserved or disaster-stricken areas.

``When I see a mission like this, I see America at its very best,'' Bush said. The plane exemplifies the 1,000 Points of Light ideal of private volunteerism he championed in the White House, Bush said.

``Caring citizens, acting out of concern for others and giving something back, can do far more than government can,'' he said.

Paul Thompson, Operation Blessing's president, said the plane was bought and equipped through private donations and corporate gifts, but added he is not averse to seeking government funding.

Robertson, who ran against Bush in the 1988 Republican primaries, asked the more than 200 people standing in the 90-degree heat at a dedication ceremony at Washington Dulles International Airport to indulge him in a political reference.

``I wish you'd won in '92,'' he said with a laugh.

Robertson called Bush about a month ago to ask for his help in commissioning the L1011 jet.

``We are old friends. Everybody thought we were rivals, but I campaigned for him in 1988 and considered him a dear friend,'' Robertson said afterward.

The 177-foot plane has a sleeping section for up to 67 people, an operating theater with three bays, two dental chair sections and a storage area for tons of supplies and equipment. It can serve up to 2,000 people per trip, Robertson said.

LENGTH: Short :   50 lines
ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: AP    Former President George Bush (center), Pat 
          Robertson (right) and Dr. Gabe Rizzi were among those touring the 
          specially built plane, which will provide medical relief on a global
          scale.