Anne McCaffrey

Harry and his wife Joan came to my assistance very early on after they had moved to Ireland. My daughter had just come down with Crohn's Disease and I simply didn't have enough money to pay her hospital bill. They sprang me the Blunt in a gracious support that I have never forgotten. (Royalties never come in during moments of crises for an author.)

Secondly, Harry passed on to me a very good contract - to write a young adult series about Dinosaurs - when he either didn't have the time to write or knew I needed the contract more than he. Either way, it was again very gracious of him. *I* have never forgotten the courtesies.

I've known Harry a long time - and Joan, too, since we met at Berkley Worldcon back in 1969. They're good people. And Harry has always been a 'sterling' convention guest - witty, bottomless (as concerns liquid refreshment - we drank Chester dry on Eastercon) and endlessly creative.

I wish him the very best on this occasion! He deserves respect and admiration and he sure has mine! God save Harry!