E 1110 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks May 24, 1995

teachers the training they need to make sure

our students reach world-class standards in

education.’’

Wasn’t this the president who came into

office preaching about the need to repair

America’s infrastructure?

He apparently has forgotten about his

promise. He also missed the boat on accuracy.

Money for the roads that Clinton attacked

will come from a trust fund that can only be

used for highway construction projects. The

trust fund has about $18 billion from special

taxes on fuel, tires, and certain weights of

trucks.

The money cannot be used to train teachers or build safe schools, as the administration alleges. If it isn’t spent building and repairing highways and bridges, it just sits

there doing nothing.

We urge area residents to tell Clinton that

he is wrong in attacking the highway

projects in central Pennsylvania and especially route 220, which will have a major impact on our economic future.

We need the highway link to I–80, and we

should challenge anyone, including the president, who claims the road is just an

unneeded and unwarranted ‘‘pork’’ project.

ANNIVERSARY CONGRATULATIONS

fHON. ROBERT G. TORRICELLI OF NEW JERSEY

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Tuesday, May 23, 1995

Mr. TORRICELLI. Mr. Speaker, I would like

to take this opportunity to congratulate a special couple from my district who will celebrate

a milestone wedding anniversary on June 19,

1995.

In these turbulent times, it is so wonderful to

recognize Kay and Frank Purritano, a couple

who have honored their vows to each other for

40 years. Family and friends will gather on

June 3 in Albany, NY to wish them well.

Frank worked for over 30 years at

Alleghany-Ludlum Steel before he retired. Kay

has been a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother. She is extremely creative, is a gourmet cook and enjoys sewing and baby-sitting

for her grandchildren.

The couple raised their five children, Debra,

Francis, Jr., Joseph, Marie and Michael in

New York but, after Frank retired, they moved

to my district in New Jersey to be closer to

their children and grandchildren. They are devoted parents and are the proud grandparents

of seven, Laura, David, Scott, Anthony,

Anastasia, Joseph and Nicholas.

It is an honor to commend this couple for

their life together and to offer my best wishes

for the years to come.

HONORING MICHAEL SCHENKLER

fHON. GARY L. ACKERMAN OF NEW YORK

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Tuesday, May 23, 1995

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today

to join with my constituents of the Fifth Congressional District and many other citizens of

New York as the Queens Council on the Arts

celebrates its 29th anniversary by honoring

the long-time Publisher of The Queens Tribune, Michael Schenkler.

Mr. Speaker, Mike Schenkler epitomizes a

success story that stands as a shinning example of dedication and achievement for the citizens of Queens County and its many communities. A product of the New York City schools,

Mike first became involved in community affairs as a student at Queens College. Upon

graduation, he began his professional career

in the New York City school system, and

quickly rose to the rank of principal.

In 1978, when I needed someone to take

over the day-to-day operations of the community newspaper I had published, I was fortunate enough to lure Michael away from a career in education and introduce him to the

world of journalism and small business. This

was a move that would have a major impact

not only on Mike’s own career, but on the borough of Queens as well.

Mike departed from the school system and

became totally immersed in the operation of

The Queens Tribune, which quickly became

the county’s dominant weekly newspaper. In

1989, the Tribune merged with News Communications, Inc., and Michael rapidly rose to the

rank of president and CEO of the newly

formed company.

From his start in the private sector in a

small storefront operation in Flushing, Mike

Schenkler now runs a publishing empire that

employs more than 300 people and publishes

23 different newspapers and magazines

throughout the New York metropolitan area

and in Washington, DC.

As the Queens Tribune grew, so did Michael’s love for community, politics, the arts,

economics, local sports and the many areas

that join together to represent the dynamics of

the borough of Queens.

Testimony for this dedication can be found

every week on the pages of his newspapers,

which cover all aspects of the Queens community. The annual Guide to Queens and the

historical anniversary editions have highlighted

the paper’s ability to cover all the news.

The Queens Tribune is a living tribute to Michael Schenkler, his borough and the dynamic

communities that thrive in Queens. The paper

has received numerous journalism awards, including the New York Press Association

Award for Mike’s column, QUIPS. In 1994, Michael was named Businessman of the Year by

the Queens Chamber of Commerce.

Mr. Speaker, Michael Schenkler is a true

American success story: a successful businessman, a warm and caring individual, a person dedicated to his family. I am truly honored

to consider him my friend.

I ask all my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join with me and the Queens

Council on the Arts in extending our best

wishes to Mike, his lovely wife, Lillian, and

their two children, Lee and Allison, and in saluting Michael Schenkler for his energy, vision

and tireless efforts on behalf of the people and

the arts of the Borough of Queens.

HIGHLANDS TRAIL DEDICATION

fHON. MARGE ROUKEMA OF NEW JERSEY

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Tuesday, May 23, 1995

Mrs. ROUKEMA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to call

attention to the dedication of the Highlands

Trail, which took place May 20 at Echo Lake

in West Milford, NJ.

The Highlands are part of an ancient chain

of mountains formed of Pre-Cambrian rock.

This area has been widely recognized for its

natural resources, especially water, wildlife

and recreation, which are of great benefit to

the dense populations of New Jersey and the

New York metropolitan area.

The Highlands Trail is a result of a project

initiated in 1993 by the New York-New Jersey

Trail Conference, with technical assistance

from the National Park Service’s Rivers, Trails

and Conservation Assistance Program. Assisting in the development of this exceptional trail

were more than three dozen organizations, including the State of New Jersey and the counties of Passaic and Warren. All of these organizations are to be commended by the Congress for creation of this trail and their work to

make more accessible to the people of our region a landscape of exceptional beauty and

wilderness.

The Highlands area is a landscape of national significance but has been described as

a hidden jewel in the emerald necklace of the

Appalachian mountain chain.

The Highlands Trail is intended as the first

of many trails in the Highlands region that will

eventually be interconnected. When finished,

the overall trail will stretch 150 miles, from the

Hudson River at Storm King Mountain, NY, to

the Delaware River at Phillipsburg, NJ.

Marked by rugged slopes, narrow valleys and

scenic ridge lines, the trail will link more than

two dozen county, State and Federal parks,

forests, historic sites and public open spaces.

While the National Park Service will provide

technical assistance, volunteer trail clubs and

other community groups will conduct management and maintenance.

The New Jersey section being opened this

weekend is 20 miles long. It offers breathtaking views of the Wanaque and Monksville

reservoirs toward the Manhattan skyline 30

miles away. The route extends to the 35,000-

acre Pequannock watershed wilderness, the

source of Newark’s water supply and home to

numerous black bear.

I congratulate everyone involved in the creation of this magnificent trail. I am certain it

will play a major role in helping preserve New

Jersey’s scenic outdoor culture for generations

to come.

TRIBUTE TO CATHOLIC CHARITIES

fHON. BRUCE F. VENTO OF MINNESOTA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Tuesday, May 23, 1995

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

celebrate the success of a volunteer organization that has served the Twin Cities community since 1869. This year the Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis is celebrating its 125th year providing

social services to Twin Cities area residents in

need.

Catholic Charities began with a commitment

and desire to help the most vulnerable residents of the community, the children. In the

late 1800’s, events such as the Civil War and

epidemics added to the already harsh pioneer

life leaving many children without parents. Trying to do what they could to help, a group

from Assumption parish in St. Paul organized

a small orphanage to care for six Germanic