E2280 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks November 19, 2008 

global economy. It is estimated that road traffic crashes cost $518 billion globally each 

year. In developing countries, road traffic 

crashes have a dramatic impact on their fragile economies, costing an estimated $100 billion, often exceeding the total amount received 

by these countries in development assistance. 

The real tragedy is that road traffic crashes 

are predictable and can be prevented. It is 

critical that America play an active role domestically and internationally to address traffic 

accidents. Many countries have achieved 

sharp reductions in the number of crashes and 

the frequency and severity of traffic-related injuries by addressing key issues, but this 

progress can be enhanced by encouraging 

governments to create lead road safety agencies in the image of our lead road safety 

agency, the National Highway Traffic Safety 

Administration (NHTSA). Additionally, the Congressional Caucus on Global Road Safety, 

which I am privileged to co-chair with Congressman Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, is involved in efforts to encourage governments to 

improve reporting standards for deaths of their 

citizens abroad from road crashes so that 

more light can be shed light on the impact of 

this global epidemic. 

As more Americans travel globally and more 

of our college students participate in study 

abroad programs in developing countries 

around the world, many of them will be at risk 

of injury or death due to hazardous traffic conditions. Now is the time to do whatever is possible to keep them safe, and it is essential as 

the international community stands together in 

remembrance of global road traffic victims that 

the United States join the United Nations, 

NGOs, and foreign governments in commemorating this important day and work swiftly to 

implement policies that will prevent further accidents and the needless loss of life. 

f 

A TRIBUTE TO DR. OVIDIO JOSEPH 

FALCONE 

HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS OF NEW YORK

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wednesday, November 19, 2008 

Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, I rise today 

to pay tribute and to honor Dr. Ovidio Joseph 

Falcone. Dr. Falcone, born in Salerno, Italy 

and raised in Yonkers, New York, displayed a 

passion for science, math, and sports from an 

early age, attending Manhattan College and 

obtaining his BS degree in Biology. 

Dr. Falcone began his medical career in 

1982, when he entered the New York College 

of Podiatric Medicine, obtaining his D.P.M. 

and beginning his residency at the Interfaith 

Medical Center in 1986, serving as its Chief 

Resident from 1987 to 1988 and later as its 

On-Site Director. 

Dr. Falcone later became the Director of the 

Podiatric Surgical Division in 1998, developing 

one of the strongest Podiatric Surgical Residency Programs in the country as well as a 

dedicated, vibrant Podiatric Surgical Service at 

IMC. 

Dr. Falcone is a member of the American 

Board of Podiatric Surgery, a Fellow of the 

American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, and is a member of the Council on 

Podiatric Medical Education. In addition to 

these responsibilities at Interfaith Medical Center, Dr. Falcone has private practices in 

Queens and Brooklyn. 

Dr. Falcone has a deep love for teaching 

the art of surgery, a strong commitment to 

family, and a passion for patient care. He is 

committed to serving the underprivileged and 

he believes that there is a sense of fulfillment 

in knowing you participated in helping those 

that are in need. 

Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize 

Dr. Ovidio Joseph Falcone for his extraordinary accomplishments at the Interfaith Medical Center. 

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to 

join me in paying tribute to Dr. Ovidio Joseph 

Falcone. 

f 

HONORING STEPHEN BAKER 

HON. JIM COSTA OF CALIFORNIA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wednesday, November 19, 2008 

Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today 

along with Congressman RADANOVICH to congratulate Stephen Baker upon his induction 

into the Fresno Athletic Hall of Fame. Mr. 

Baker will be honored at the 50th anniversary 

enshrinement dinner of the Fresno Athletic 

Hall of Fame on Thursday, November 6, 2008. 

A sportswriter once said that Stephen 

Baker, at 5-foot-8, 160 pounds, was built more 

for gymnastics than for football. But with his 

lightning quickness, sure hands and gritty 

toughness, the wide receiver earned one of 

the game’s enduring nicknames—‘‘the touchdown maker.’’ He was given the catchy moniker at West Los Angeles College, where he 

scored 31 touchdowns in two seasons, before 

starring at California State University Fresno 

for two seasons and playing six seasons with 

the New York Giants (1987–1992). With the 

Bulldogs, he was a frequent target of NCAA 

record-setting quarterback Kevin Sweeney, 

burning opponents for sixty-two receptions, an 

amazing 26.3 yards per catch and sixteen 

touchdowns over two seasons. He closed his 

collegiate career by catching a thirty-six yard 

scoring pass that gave the West All-Stars a 

victory in the Japan Bowl. 

Drafted in the third round by the New York 

Giants, Mr. Baker earned the respect of 

Coach Bill Parcels with his ability to elude defenders and hang onto the ball. Over the 

course of his NFL career, he lost just one fumble. He started fifty-three games for the Giants 

and finished his career with one hundred and 

forty-one receptions, an 18.3 yards-per-catch 

average and twenty-one touchdowns. His best 

season was 1988, when he hauled in forty 

passes and scored seven times. The highlight 

of Baker’s NFL career came in Superbowl 

XXV, as the Giants defeated the Buffalo Bills 

20–19. He caught two passes—one of them a 

fourteen yard touchdown pass from Jeff 

Hostetler with just twenty-five seconds left in 

the first half to cut the Giants’ deficit to 12–10. 

Madam Speaker, we rise today to commend 

and congratulate Stephen Baker upon his 

achievements and induction into the Fresno 

Athletic Hall of Fame. I invite my colleagues to 

join me in wishing Mr. Baker congratulations 

on his many accomplishments. 

COMMEMORATING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MENDOCINO 

STUDY CLUB 

HON. MIKE THOMPSON OF CALIFORNIA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wednesday, November 19, 2008 

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam 

Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 

Mendocino Study Club for outstanding and 

distinguished service to citizens of the village 

and north coast of Mendocino, California, on 

the occasion of its centennial anniversary. 

Since its founding by seven women on October 30, 1908, when Mendocino was still recovering from the California earthquake and 

fires of 1906, the Mendocino Study Club has 

been an intelligent and considerate force 

adapting to and addressing the issues of the 

times. The original members traveled by horse 

and buggy for the first decade in order to get 

together on the isolated and rugged 

Mendocino Coast. 

In the early years Study Club members met 

to discuss reading assignments and international cultural and historical topics. It wasn’t 

two years before they were also a contributing 

force to worthy causes. For many years the 

MSC was in charge of the local American Red 

Cross Drive. Active during the First World 

War, they gave to war related causes, and 

during the Depression focused on local needs. 

Health and dental care, education and safety 

became the stalwart causes for which the 

MSC has been particularly philanthropic. 

In 1943, the MSC began its scholarship program with $100 to study nursing. Since then, 

members have granted more than $178,400 to 

high school graduates, as well as to recipients 

for reentry and job upgrade pursuits, and to 

economic enterprises. Their Country Christmas bazaar of handcrafted items supports the 

club programs including scholarships, and humanitarian and civic projects. The Mendocino 

Community Library is the longest running legacy, initiated by the Study Club in 1947 and 

incorporated in 1979. In 1988 the Mendocino 

Community Library moved into its own building 

which continues to be staffed and supported 

by the MSC. 

Throughout the decades the MSC has been 

active in improving the quality of life for local 

residents through their support of such vital 

entities as the Mendocino Coast District Hospital, Mendocino Historical Research, Inc., 

Sherwood Oaks nursing home, Meals on 

Wheels, Hospitality House, a new firehouse, 

soup kitchens, the Senior Lunch Program and 

the Food Bank, to name a few. In addition to 

financial and volunteer support MSC has advocated on issues on behalf of school lunches 

to Congress, for highway safety to the state of 

California, and rural community libraries to the 

County of Mendocino. 

Their 2008 centennial activities have included heritage rose plantings, a centennial 

quilt, and, in honor of the history of the unique 

village of Mendocino, the creation of walking 

tour brochures as a birthday gift to community. 

Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join 

me in honoring the Mendocino Study Club for 

100 years of good deeds on the Mendocino 

coast. This exemplary organization lives up to 

its purpose to promote the highest spiritual, intellectual and cultural opportunities for its 

members, to provide for leadership of women 


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