May 17, 1995 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E 1059

NATIONAL SENIOR CENTER WEEK

HON. CHARLES E. SCHUMER OF NEW YORK

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wednesday, May 17, 1995

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

announce that the week of May 14–21, 1995,

has been designated National Senior Center

Week. The 335 senior centers in New York

City will join with the over 10,000 senior centers nationally and the National Council on

Aging’s National Institute of Senior Centers as

sponsors of the week. The Council of Senior

Centers and Services is coordinating the Senior Center Week Celebration in New York City.

In addition to the importance of providing

meals for seniors living on tight budgets, senior centers are vital meeting places that serve

the educational and social needs of our Nation’s seniors. The sense of community experienced by an isolated older person of any income level or as a place to proudly bring

younger family members adds immeasurably

to the quality of life and emotional and physical well-being. I also know the value of senior

centers from personal experience—they were

a great benefit to my grandparents.

By naming this week National Senior Center

Week, we are acknowledging the vital work

that goes on every day to create a safe haven

for seniors. I know all my colleagues in the

House of Representatives will join me in applauding their efforts and wishing all our senior

centers many more years of success.

TRIBUTE TO DR. RICHARD J.

fZANINI

HON. BARBARA B. KENNELLY OF CONNECTICUT

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wednesday, May 17, 1995

Mrs. KENNELLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today

to honor an outstanding educator, Dr. Richard

J. Zanini of Wethersfield, CT, who is retiring in

June. During his 35 years of service Dr. Zanini

served as a teacher, a program specialist, a

supervisor, and assistant superintendent. For

the last 13 years, he has served as superintendent of schools in Wethersfield.

Dr. Zanini was educated at the University of

Massachusetts and at the University of Connecticut, where he received his Ph.D. in 1969.

After serving in the army, he began teaching

history and social studies in Connecticut in the

early 1960’s. He then helped shape Federal

education policy as a program specialist at the

U.S. Department of Education in Washington

for 2 years before returning to the classroom.

In 1972, Dr. Zanini became the assistant superintendent of schools in Hebron, Andover,

and Marlborough. He served in a similar role

in the Wethersfield school system for 5 years

before becoming the superintendent in 1982.

During Dr. Zanini’s tenure in Wethersfield,

several schools have been recognized for excellence. Wethersfield High School became a

4-year high school and won statewide recognition in 1983 and again in 1994. Silas Deane

Junior High School received wide acclaim, including designation as an exemplary school by

the U.S. Department of Education in 1991 and

the kindergarten center received national accreditation in 1993.

Despite difficult economic times, Dr. Zanini

hired outstanding administrators, teachers,

and support staff, and ensured buildings were

repaired in a timely manner. He always treated colleagues, parents, and students with respect and professionalism. We will all miss

this respected leader who has worked so hard

on behalf of students for so long.

Dr. Zanini’s leadership, attention to detail,

thorough knowledge of State and Federal regulations, and his vision have served the

Wethersfield district—and all his previous districts and schools—well. We thank him for his

dedicated service and wish him the best upon

his retirement.

SOUTH DAKOTA VOICE OF

DEMOCRACY WINNER

f

HON. TIM JOHNSON OF SOUTH DAKOTA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wednesday, May 17, 1995

Mr. JOHNSON of South Dakota. Mr. Speaker, Ms. Becky Fischer of Eureka, SD, was recently selected as a State winner in the Voice

of Democracy broadcast script writing contest

conducted each year by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States and its ladies

auxiliary. The contest theme for this year was

‘‘My Vision for America,’’ and of the more than

126,000 secondary school students who participated in this year’s contest, Becky was also

named a winner at the national level. Mr.

Speaker, I’m inserting Becky’s winning script

in the CONGRESSIONAL RECORD. She deserves

to be commended for her exceptional efforts in

writing this script and participating in this contest. Becky’s insights and enthusiasm will

serve as a model to others her age:

MY VISION FOR AMERICA

Picture a small child, and in his busy little

hands, a fragile, crystal antique vase. Unless

this child has been properly educated in the

handling, care, and value of this vase, the

owner of this treasure would be extremely

nervous. Americans are permitting every

child in the United States to grasp a vase—

this ‘‘vase’’ is our future. These children

must be prepared today to meet and conquer

the challenges of tomorrow. The future of

America is held in the hands of the children;

therefore, my vision for America includes a

brighter, bolder, well-educated society

achieved by what the children are experiencing today.

In order to fulfill my vision for America,

we must take care of the children. Teaching

children to take care of their bodies by following wise health habits will build their

strength and endurance. If a child is not

physically strong enough to hold the vase, it

could drop and shatter. If the children of

America are not physically sound, dreams

for America’s future could be crushed.

We must also take care of America’s children emotionally. A child must possess a

strong sense of self-confidence, believing in

himself and his ability to contribute to society. Henry Ford said, ‘‘Don’t find fault—Find

a remedy.’’ We must build a child’s self esteem. Consider I Thessalonians 5:11, ‘‘Therefore encourage one another and build each

other up * * *’’ If a child believes he can accomplish his goals, whether it be carrying a

priceless antique or creating a better future

for America, he will be prepared to meet

these goals.

A strong education in our schools and

homes is also necessary for every American

child to secure my vision for America.

Teachers and schools play a vital role in the

education of a child. With continued excellence in our nation’s schools, opportunities

are unlimited for a child to learn, adjust to

change, and meet new challenges. By nature,

a child has an open mind and a willingness to

ask questions. A child will develop his own

vision for America through a solid education.

Parents and family have the chief responsibility for educating our children though.

Children model themselves largely on their

parents. A parent must act like the type of

person they want their child to become since

things parents do and say strongly influence

a child. If parents teach a child how to support the vase by their own example, that

child will be able to hold the vase with confidence. If a parent enstills a positive attitude in a child regarding the American spirit, that child will look to this country’s future with energy and enthusiasm.

My vision for America can be achieved in

various ways. By setting a good example,

children will have footsteps to follow. Along

with their own experiences, future decisions

these children make will be determined by

what they have learned from our examples in

their past. To preserve the safety of the

‘‘vase,’’ we have the opportunity and the responsibility to set a good example.

Every American citizen must participate

in preparing the children for a successful future. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow said,

‘‘Give what you have, to someone it may be

better than you dare think.’’ Our nation is

composed of unique individuals, each with

their own talents. We need to focus these

varied talents on the children; they need

each and every one of us. All of us together

will help prepare these children for the future.

In conclusion, we are all now holding the

‘‘vase,’’ but we must pass it on to the children of America. If we continue to take care

of the children, physically and emotionally,

provide a superior education for them in the

schools and in our homes, and set good examples, we are contributing together to prepare our children for tomorrow. The future

of America is held in the hands of the children; therefore, my vision for America includes a brighter, bolder, well-educated society achieved by what the children are experiencing today.

TRIBUTE TO DR. RICHARD ALAN

fYANIKOSKI

HON. WILLIAM O. LIPINSKI OF ILLINOIS

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wednesday, May 17, 1995

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

pay tribute to Dr. Richard Alan Yanikoski who

will be inaugurated on May 19, 1995, as president of Xavier University located in the Third

Congressional District of Illinois. Dr. Yanikoski

was selected after a nationwide search conducted by the university’s board of Trustees

attracted distinguished candidates from all regions of the country. Dr. Yanikoski is the 12th

president of the 148-year-old college, the oldest higher education institution in the city of

Chicago.

Dr. Richard Yanikoski has served in the field

of higher education for over 19 years. Previously, Dr. Yanikoski held the position of director of the Harry F. and Elaine M. Chaddick

Institute and served as associate professor

and director of DePaul University’s Public