May 2, 1995 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E 929

Mr. Jacobson serves Connecticut as an inspiration to many people across eastern Connecticut through his hard work and dedication.

Not only does he find time to work with his fellow Lions but also to serve the community in

other ways. For instance in Colchester, he

served on the Youth Services Board of Directors.

I ask my colleagues to join me today in honoring Eric Jacobson, and to wish him and his

family the best in the future.

ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

f

HON. JERRY F. COSTELLO

OF ILLINOIS

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Tuesday, May 2, 1995

Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise to join

my colleagues today to commemorate the

80th anniversary of the Armenian genocide. In

1915, Armenian religious, political and intellectual leaders were arrested and executed. The

campaign of genocide began with this act and

resulted in the deaths of over 1.5 million Armenians by 1923.

April 24 is the symbolic day of remembrance for the Armenian community to join together and remember the horrible events of

their ancestors. Residents of Armenian heritage in my congressional district believe remembering the past will prevent the world

from forgetting.

The Armenian people have maintained their

cultural and historical identity with perseverance and pride despite the oppression they

endured. That is why I have joined a number

of my colleagues in Congress in cosponsoring

H. Con. Res. 47 to call on the Republic of Turkey to acknowledge and commemorate the

genocide.

I ask my colleagues to join me in remembering the tragedy of the Armenian genocide

and in renewing our commitment to human

rights. The Congress must stand firm in its resolve to oppose violence and repression

against humanity.

TRIBUTE TO COL. CHARLES L. FOX

HON. FLOYD SPENCE OF SOUTH CAROLINA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Tuesday, May 2, 1995

Mr. SPENCE. Mr. Speaker, I would like to

recognize Col. Charles L. Fox, Deputy Director, Office of Air Force Legislative Liaison,

upon his retirement from the U.S. Air Force

and commend him on his distinguished service to the National Security Committee and the

U.S. House of Representatives. For the past 3

years, the House has enjoyed the outstanding

leadership and commitment to service demonstrated by Colonel Fox. During this period,

the Air Force has done an excellent job of providing complete and accurate information for

use in Congressional oversight of Air Force

programs and has ensured that prompt attention has been given to the many inquiries that

Members of the House have made for their

constituents.

On behalf of my colleagues, who have had

the privilege of working with Colonel Fox, I

would like to express our gratitude for his 28

years of honorable service to our country, as

he retires from the Air Force.

50TH ANNIVERSARY NEW YORK

STATE DIVISION OF VETERANS

fAFFAIRS

HON. MICHAEL P. FORBES OF NEW YORK

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Tuesday, May 2, 1995

Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I would like to

take this opportunity to recognize the 50th anniversary of the New York State Division of

Veterans’ Affairs, which formally occurred April

11 and will be celebrated May 9 in Albany.

Like divisions of veteran’s affairs all over the

country, the New York State Division of Veterans’ Affairs provides essential services and

support to New York’s 1.6 million veterans. In

New York’s First Congressional District in

eastern Long Island, we are especially thankful for these 50 great years of work, as we

have the largest concentration of veterans in

the Nation.

And to those who have worked in the division of veterans’ affairs all of these years, the

respect is mutual. For New York’s veterans,

like all of America’s veterans, are the ones

who have kept us all safe and secure so that

we could enjoy the fruits of our great democracy. They fought our enemies in two world

wars, Korea, Vietnam, the Persian Gulf and

numerous other military conflicts. They are the

ones who have been out there every day during peacetime, patrolling the seas and skies,

manning potential front lines and preparing to

fight again if the need should arise. We owe

our vets everything, Mr. Speaker.

And the New York Division of Veterans’ Affairs has been in the forefront of efforts to provide these men and women the benefits they

need and deserve. I commend and thank

them for all of their service.

I would also like to bring to the House’s attention the New York division’s new director,

an old and dear friend of mine, Mr. John L.

Behan, who will be sworn in at the anniversary

celebration next Tuesday.

John is a Marine Corps veteran who served

with distinction in Vietnam. In 1966, my good

friend was severely wounded after engaging

the enemy while on patrol near Da Nang. For

his bravery, he was decorated seven times

and received New York State’s highest military

honor, the Conspicuous Service Cross. John

suffered the loss of both legs in the incident

and was honorably discharged in 1967.

John’s spirit never died, though, and he

learned to walk and much, much more with

the use of artificial limbs. Always an athlete,

John achieved a position on the U.S. Wheelchair Olympic Team a few years later. In 1976

he captained the amputee team and won several medals, including three golds, at the first

International Games for the Disabled.

Having conquered the sporting world, in

1978 John entered State politics and was

elected to the New York State Assembly,

where he served until he was appointed by

Governor Pataki as director of the New York

State Division of Veterans’ Affairs in February.

I would like to thank the New York State Division of Veterans’ Affairs and their new director, John Behan, for their service to our Nation’s heroes, of which John is one. They provide an irreplaceable service to our community

and we are indebted to them.