E 940 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks May 3, 1995

measures that strengthen our economy,

cherish our families, and insist on schools

that challenge the minds of our children.

I remember the vision of Martin Luther

King, Jr. who dreamed of a nation where people would be judged by the content of their

minds and characters, rather than by their

race or religion. It is a dream that I share,

and one I will work hard to achieve, just as

I will work hard to insure that America remains strong, for I believe that a peaceful

planet earth depends now, more than ever

before, on the leadership, strength and prosperity of the United States of America.

I dream of a country whose future is transformed by the innovative and inventive genius of her scientists, a transformation

whose great accomplishments work to support the worth of the land and the values of

her people. I dream of an America leading a

united, free and prosperous planet to explore

the vast reaches of outer space. What wonders await us there?

Can my vision, my dream for America

come to pass? Yes. If all of us will strive to

work together, if we will open our hearts to

one another, and to people everywhere, if we

as Americans and as citizens of planet earth

share our hopes, our dreams, and our visions,

the power of the human imagination and the

wisdom of the heart will accomplish all of

this, and much more. I see America as an

American, proud of its accomplishments and

committed to making it truly a haven of

prosperity and dreams. For in dreams come

visions and through visions come new and

exciting ventures for all of us to share. Yes.

That is my vision for America.

IN HONOR OF GIRO ESPOSITO, JR.

fHON. ROSA L. DeLAURO OF CONNECTICUT

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wednesday, May 3, 1995

Ms. DELAURO. Mr. Speaker, on Friday,

May 5, 1995, the Local Union 90 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers

[IBEW] will pay tribute to its business manager, Giro ‘‘Jerry’’ Esposito, Jr. in honor of his

retirement. I would like to join Local 90 in

commemorating this exceptional individual

who has dedicated an entire career to his

union and his craft. Jerry is a longtime family

friend, and I am honored to have this opportunity to acknowledge his 43 years of service

to the IBEW.

Jerry Esposito is not only an accomplished

craftsman, but also a dependable coworker

and an outstanding leader. His warm personality and high level of commitment have made

him well respected by his colleagues at the

IBEW. As the vice president, president, and

most recently, the business manager, his dedication to the Electrical Workers Local 90 has

never faltered and has resulted in prosperity

and growth for the union.

Unions are crucial to the well-being of

American workers and they depend heavily on

the vitality and solidarity of their membership.

Jerry Esposito’s friends and fellow electrical

workers have long relied on him as an essential member of their organization. He has always been active and willing to take the lead

on important issues. As a member of the Connecticut Apprenticeship Council and the

IBEW’s Council on Industrial Relations, Jerry

has given back both to his profession and to

the union that has done so much for him.

I am sure his wife, Angie, and his children—

Diane, Rosemary, and Patty—share in the tremendous pride that Jerry feels at this moment.

I extend my heartfelt congratulations on this

well-deserved tribute, and I commend Jerry

Esposito for 43 years of distinguished work. I

wish him many years of good health and happiness in his retirement.

‘‘THE FANTASTICKS’’ ARE

fFANTASTIC

HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY OF NEW YORK

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wednesday, May 3, 1995

Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today

to salute ‘‘The Fantasticks,’’ the longest running show in American theater history, and the

longest running musical in the world. The creation of Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt, ‘‘The

Fantasticks’’ is celebrating its 35th anniversary

at the Sullivan Street Playhouse in New York’s

Greenwich Village today, May 3, 1995.

Approaching its 14,500th performance, ‘‘The

Fantasticks’’ speaks to the most basic human

emotions with an eloquence and style that

transcends international and generational

boundaries. Not only is ‘‘The Fantasticks’’ the

longest running show in American theater history, but there have been over 8,300 productions of the musical performed in all 50 States.

In addition to these college, community, and

amateur productions, there have been no less

than 15 national touring companies who have

performed this wonderful show for tens of

thousands of people throughout the country,

and on dozens of U.S. military bases abroad.

‘‘The Fantasticks’’ has also enjoyed extended popularity on the international stage.

Each year, thousands of visitors from abroad

visit the Sullivan Street Playhouse to take in a

performance. ‘‘The Fantasticks’’ has also

spawned more than 500 productions in 67 foreign countries in such places as Canada, Australia, Japan, Saudi Arabia, and Israel. The

original cast recording of the play’s music has

sold more copies around the world than any

other show.

And yet, it is not the incredible statistical

records accumulated by this unique piece of

theater that make it so extraordinary. ‘‘The

Fantasticks’’ is special because for 35 years it

has brought a countless number of people together to share an experience that they will

take with them for the rest of their lives.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to salute ‘‘The

Fantasticks’’ on this, its 35th anniversary, and

I hope my colleagues will join me in wishing

it another 35 years of continued success.

ESTABLISHMENT OF SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION REfGIONAL OFFICE ON UNITED

STATES-MEXICO BORDER

HON. RONALD D. COLEMAN OF TEXAS

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wednesday, May 3, 1995

Mr. COLEMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to

introduce a bill which would establish a Small

Business Administration regional office for the

United States-Mexico border region. The United States-Mexico border region faces unique

economic and small-business circumstances

which would best be addressed by devoting

the efforts of a single office to the entire region. This measure is important now because

of the recent economic events in Mexico

which have severely affected businesses

along the United States-Mexico border.

The SBA can and does help many border

businesses, but many times their administrative structure does not allow for the special

needs of our region. For too long, border SBA

district offices, branch offices, and point-ofduty stations have had to report to regional offices in faraway cities. This causes the special

needs of the region to be overlooked. My own

SBA district office in El Paso reports to the regional office in Dallas which is over 600 miles

away.

Apart from the distance question there is

also the matter of SBA sensitivity to border

business issues. Border cities’ economic ties

with Mexico give our business environment a

special quality. The recent Mexican peso devaluation is a good example. In the retail industry, Texas border communities that cater to

Mexican shoppers were the first to feel the effects of the peso devaluation.

Texas cities such as Laredo, McAllen, and

El Paso all have shopping districts that rely

heavily on sales to Mexican nationals. For example, the Laredo Chamber of Commerce estimates that retail sales in the downtown area

dropped 60 to 80 percent in the last week of

December, 1994, and the month of January.

The McAllen Chamber of Commerce estimates that retail sales dropped about 20 percent by mid-January. In El Paso, which I represent, the Economic Development Council reports that downtown retail sales fell 70 to 75

percent after the devaluation. This has quite

an impact, Mr. Speaker, because the retail

sector comprises 25 percent of the El Paso

economy.

These are the kinds of factors that make

border economies unique and would best be

served by a border regional SBA office. We

need SBA management structure to reflect an

understanding of United States/Mexico border

needs. This bill would address that.

The establishment of a border regional SBA

office is long overdue and I urge my colleagues to support it.

H.R.—

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in

Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. ESTABLISHMENT OF SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION REGIONAL

OFFICE ON U.S.-MEXICO BORDER.

(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—Not later than 1 year

after the date of the enactment of this Act,

the Administrator of the Small Business Administration shall establish a regional office

of the Small Business Administration in a

community in the United States located—

(1) not more than 10 miles from the border

between the United States and Mexico; and

(2) as close as practicable to the point that

is halfway between San Diego, California,

and Brownsville, Texas.

(b) REGIONAL ADMINISTRATOR.—The head of

the office established under this section

shall be the Regional Administrator of the

Small Business Administration for the region of the United States located generally

along the border between the United States

and Mexico.

(c) FUNCTIONS.—The Administrator of the

Small Business Administration shall delegate to the Regional Administrator referred