E 906 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks May 2, 1995

War Veterans, as well as from the city of Bayonne, the New Jersey Assembly, and the

New Jersey Senate.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank

Frank P. Perrucci on behalf of the city of Bayonne for all his hard work in the community.

I am truly proud to have such an outstanding

citizen living in the 13th Congressional District.

Please also join me in praising Mr. Perrucci

and the Concerned Citizens of Bayonne Organization for 25 years of dedication and commitment.

AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY

CELEBRATES DIAMOND ANNIfVERSARY

HON. GERALD B.H. SOLOMON OF NEW YORK

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Tuesday, May 2, 1995

Mr. SOLOMON. Mr. Speaker, I have often

stood before you commending the virtues and

contributions of America’s veterans. However,

today I would like to bring to your attention another, equally important group which performs

many vital services for America’s veterans, our

communities, and our Nation at large.

This year, the American Legion Auxiliary

celebrates its Diamond Jubilee. Since 1920,

the Auxiliary has grown from a membership of

11,000 women to its current count of approximately 973,000 dedicated volunteers. With a

motto of Service, not Self, the American Legion Auxiliary members have for 75 years exemplified the American ideals of philanthropy

and patriotism through their many worthwhile

endeavors. From lobbying Congress in grass

roots campaigns for such issues as proper

compensation for America’s veterans and the

G.I. Bill of Rights, to fund-raising projects

which have generated millions of dollars for

organizations including the American Cancer

Society and the Muscular Dystrophy Association, the American Legion Auxiliary serves not

only veterans, but its entire national community.

The American Legion Auxiliary looks to the

past, the present, and the future as well. Auxiliary members were participants in the untiring

efforts on behalf of disabled veterans, which

eventually resulted in the establishment of

Veterans Administration, as well as a system

of modern Veterans Administration Medical

Centers. As a result of these actions, the contributions and needs of disabled veterans are

assured of their proper recognition and attention. In addition, the Auxiliary helps to prepare

young women for lives of civil service through

the Girls’ State programs. In these programs,

high school junior are selected, on the basis of

their interest in government and their leadership potential, to attend a session during

which they create and operate a government

of their own. Each year, two citizens for each

State session are chosen to participate in the

Girls’ Nation program in Washington, DC,

functioning as our Federal Government would.

Though these programs, the young women

are encouraged to pursue their governmental

interests, as well as to further develop confidence and speaking skills which will be valuable them in all their future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, as a veteran myself, I understand what it means to know that organizations such as the American Legion Auxiliary

exist to acknowledge and support the efforts

of those who fight for our country. I know that

the millions of veterans who have already benefited from the labors of the Auxiliary members, as well as those who will do so in the

years to come would agree with me when I

say that the American Legion Auxiliary has become an example of selflessness and patriotism which all Americans may emulate.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that all Members join me

in expressing our sincerest gratitude and congratulations to the American Legion Auxiliary

as it celebrates 75 years of valuable service to

our veterans, our communities, and our Nation.

HONORING THE BEST OF RESTON

AWARD WINNERS

fHON. THOMAS M. DAVIS OF VIRGINIA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Tuesday, May 2, 1995

Mr. DAVIS. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great

pleasure to rise today to pay tribute to the individuals and businesses who are this years

winners of the Best of Reston awards. The

Best of Reston Community Service Award was

created to recognize companies, organizations, and individuals who have made outstanding contributions to community service,

and/or who have improved the lives of people

in need, in Reston, VA.

Priscilla Ames has delivered 30 years of

continuous civic work and community service.

She has served the greater Reston community

in many capacities: on the Fairfax County

Human Services Council, as Reston’s director

of Community Affairs and Public Information,

on Community Advisory Committee of the

Embry Rucker Shelter, and as a member of

the Community Advisory Committee of the

Cameron Glen Care Center. She has been

honored by the Reston Rotary Club as their

1990 Citizen of the Year and named Lady

Fairfax by Fairfax County in 1990.

Margaret Boyd has been one of Reston’s

most visible, consistent, and effective advocates for youth, particularly adolescents. Ms.

Boyd has served as the Reston coordinator for

the Teen Summit. She has also joined initiative in the conception and realization of the Pit

Teen Center in Reston. She organized a teen/

adult dialog in April 1994 and is planning a

Teen Leadership Conference to be held in

March 1995. Ms. Boyd is also teacher at Forest Edge Elementary School, an at-large

board member for Reston Citizens Association

[RCA] and chair of RCA’s Youth Committee.

Juanita Cooper has been dedicated to the

community, particularly the families and staff

of lake Anne Elementary School. Since 1976,

she has nurtured the Lake Anne children. Her

belief that every child deserves the chance to

reach their potential is reflected in the faces

and successes of the children whose lives she

has touched.

Carlo and Ana Mejia are professional artisans of considerable experience and accomplishment who fled the war in El Salvador in

1980, bringing with them only their family and

one suitcase. They established after-hours ceramic classes for area youth at Forest Edge

Elementary School.

Datatel furthers higher education through

the Datatel Scholars Foundation and a corporate matching gift program. Datatel also assists a number of local charities. Seven years

ago, Datatel adopted the Embry Rucker Community Shelter giving it some $1,400 a year

for the past 7 years in gifts.

The 1995 recipients of the Business Excellence Award:

Molson Breweries U.S.A. Inc., under the direction of president and chief executive officer

John Barnett, have been major support of

Wolf Trap Farm Park and the Kennedy Center

for the Performing Arts. Mr. Barnett has been

active in his pursuits to enhance the outstanding quality of life in Northern Virginia including:

Taste of the Town at Reston Town Center and

the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund.

BTG, now in its 13th year, BTG headed by

Dr. Ed Bersoff is a leader in the information industry, with 634 employees and revenues of

over $140 million. BTG is the business partner

of Marshall High School, contributes funding

and technology support to Hospice of Northern

Virginia, and provides both funds and board

members to a broad spectrum of community

organizations including: Leadership Fairfax,

the Women’s Center, Court Appointed Special

Advocates for abused children, Fairfax Hospital, and Women in Technology.

Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues join me

in honoring the Best of Reston award winners

for all of their hard work in making their community a better place to live.

TRIBUTE TO QUEENIE MARY

fWOOTEN

HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS OF NEW YORK

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Tuesday, May 2, 1995

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to

recognize Ms. Queenie Mary Wooten.

Queenie hails from South Carolina. She was

born to James and Estella Hunt Corley, and

was part of a large, close family. Queenie attributes her success in life to her family, her

late husband James Wooten, and her fiance,

Dr. Raymond B. Croskey.

Queenie was educated initially in South

Carolina, but graduated from Girls High

School in Brooklyn. She received her AAS degree from New York Community College, and

her bachelor of science degree from Medgar

Evers College.

Ms. Wooten has served in a variety of professional capacities working with children in

and outside of the public school system. She

currently serves as an associate educational

officer in Community School District 19, and is

a coordinator of facilities maintenance and

temporary housing. Additionally, Queenie is

assisting with developing short- and longrange plans for the zoning of School District

19.

Queenie is involved in a number of educational, civic, religious, legislative, professional, and social activities. She is the founder

of the Priscilla Wooten Educational Society.

Additionally, she is a member of Community

Planning Board 5, and is an active member of

Grace Baptist Church, which is pastored by

Rev. Jacob N. Underwood, Sr.

A recipient of numerous awards for community involvement, I am pleased to recognize

Ms. Queenie Mary Wooten.