May 24, 1995 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E 1109

and collected memorabilia which he has displayed at various functions. He prepared a

small display here for our employees one

President’s Day as well as another on the

July 4 Independence Day.

He is an unusual man who has done a service to others by reminding us of our government, our freedom and our history in this

special way.

I hope you will be able to give him an opportunity to again show his collection.

Sincerely,

DORIS A. HORTON,

Director, Human Resources.

WASHINGTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL,

Cloquet, MN.

I have known Joe Peterson for over ten

years and during that time he has worked on

a history of Washington Elementary School,

talked in our Grade 4 classrooms on state

symbols for Minnesota Day, and visited various classrooms discussing our presidents.

His drive and enthusiasm are self evident in

his thorough presentations.

Respectfully,

T.M. WALSH,

Principal, Washington Elementary School.

OUR SAVIOR’S LUTHERAN CHURCH,

Cloquet, MN.

Joe has done extensive work in researching

the lives and accomplishments of our presidents. He deserves recognition.

Joe Peterson has also done much valuable

work with the history of our congregation.

He has articulate knowledge about each of

the pastors, significant congregational members, and specific dates. He has also helped

considerably in this work in the history of

other congregations. He has put much time

and effort into all of the above.

Sincerely,

DENNIS C. MORREIM,

Senior Pastor.

CLOQUET CO-OP CREDIT UNION,

Cloquet MN.

In our community, Joe has become quite a

historian and was recognized just one week

ago in our local newspaper for the historical

work that he has done. Joe does outstanding

work and is highly committed to the endeavor of becoming an expert on our past presidents. I write this letter to you on behalf of

Joe Peterson and should you have any questions as to his reputation or work ethic,

please by all means feel free to be in touch

with me.

Sincerely,

DEL D. PREVOST,

President.

CARLTON COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY,

Cloquet, MN.

Joe has been a member of our Society for

a long time. He has done research on the

presidents and other sources.

We have all gotten along very well with

Joe and he is always willing to pass on help

when he can.

Sincerely,

FERN M. OLSON.

KATHLEEN MONSON.

I have known Joe Peterson for about five

years. He is a very nice young fellow, ambitious and always willing to give a helping

hand.

He gave several programs at the senior

center about the presidents. It was very

moving to hear him talk about them. He

knows where and when they were born, about

their history and backgrounds. Then, a couple of months later, he put on one about

their wives, which was very interesting also.

He’s put on programs at several other

places, too.

He is a very smart young fellow and well

liked by everyone.

VIOLET I. LOMPREY.

fDuluth, Minnesota.

FAMILY DAY IN TENNESSEE

HON. JOHN J. DUNCAN, JR. OF TENNESSEE

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Tuesday, May 23, 1995

Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, recently the

Tennessee General Assembly sent me a resolution declaring the last Sunday in August as

Family Day in Tennessee. They asked for my

support to make this a National day.

The parent/child relationship is one of the

most important in our society. Children learn

lessons at home which shape and guide their

future. No one would dispute that a loving,

supportive homelife would benefit any child.

As the family deteriorates, so does American society. We can readily see that many of

the problems our Country now faces have coincided with the breakdown of the family. As a

father of four, I appreciate the importance this

legislation places on the worth of the family.

Unfortunately, Congress no longer considers

legislation for commemorative days. While this

rule will save hundreds of thousands of dollars

in operating and staff time, it does not allow

for the recognition of National days of importance, such as Tennessee’s proposed National Family Day.

Therefore, I ask that the Tennessee General

Assembly’s resolution be printed in the CONGRESSIONAL RECORD so that my colleagues

may benefit from such an eloquent and worthwhile memorial.

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 97

A Resolution Memorializing the United

States Congress to establish a day of national observance in honor of the American

family.

Whereas, One of the most trustworthy indicators of the health, strength and progress

of a nation is the esteem in which the family

is held; and

Whereas, Family strength, unity and respect cannot be purchased or fabricated, but

comes to us instead when families are together and realize that through interaction

they know love, trust and hope; and

Whereas, Life is special when we realize

the worth of the family and its importance

in all relationships; and

Whereas, The family is the center of our

affections and the foundation of our American society; and

Whereas, No institution can take the family’s place in giving meaning to human life

and stability in our society; and

Whereas, It is fitting that official recognition be given to the importance of strengthening family life; now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate of the ninetyninth general assembly of the State of Tennessee, the House of Representatives concurring, That this General Assembly hereby memorializes the U.S. Congress to enact legislation establishing the last Sunday of August

of each year as a day of national observance

to be known as ‘‘Family Day’’ in order to

focus attention and to confer honor upon the

importance of the American family as the

cornerstone of our society.

Be it further resolved, That the Chief Clerk

of the Senate is directed to transmit enrolled

copies of this resolution to the Honorable

Bill Clinton, President of the United States,

the Honorable Al Gore, Vice President of the

United States, and to each member of the

Tennessee delegation to the U.S. Congress.

‘‘CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA

BLASTS CLINTON’’

f

HON. BUD SHUSTER OF PENNSYLVANIA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Tuesday, May 23, 1995

Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, last week,

spokesmen from the Clinton administration

took aim at the supposed pork in highway

projects. But, as with other matters, they had

a hard time with the truth. First, they confused

the House rescissions bill with the historic

1991 Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 [ISTEA], a stunning error

made by the former Budget Committee Chairman, Leon Panetta.

Then, they criticized 10 projects in my district as wasteful, claiming that the money

would be better spent on building schools and

training teachers. Wrong again. These projects

are extremely worthwhile. Moreover, they are

funded with transportation trust fund dollars,

which by law cannot be spent on anything but

highway construction and improvements.

The largest newspaper from my Ninth District of Pennsylvania, the Altoona Mirror, instantly and eloquently spoke up on this matter,

with the following superb editorial:

ROUTE 220 IS NOT PORK

President Clinton is off-base in attacking

highway projects in central Pennsylvania

and especially in trying to label the completion of new route 220 as a pork project.

Few projects are as important to the economic health of central Pennsylvania and

the safety of motorists than completing the

limited-access highway link between Bald

Eagle and interstate 80. Our region has already seen some benefits from the new highway between Bedford and Tyrone. Now we

need the rest of the link to the State college/

I–80 area.

Companies are locating in the Bedford,

Blair, and Centre counties region because

they know that new route 220 will give them

easy access to the Pennsylvania turnpike

and points south and to interstate 80 and the

northern tier of States, including the metropolitan New York market.

It is unbelievable that our president could

perceive such a vital link as a pork project.

He accused Republicans in Congress of ‘‘caring more about pork than people.’’

Well, Mr. President, the northern leg of

route 220 and the other road projects you attacked are being planned because they are

about people, their safety, and their jobs.

The other projects criticized by Clinton were

the route 22 bypass of Hollidaysburg, the relocation of route 22 north of Lewistown and

a new turning lane on route 36 in Roaring

Spring.

We believe a legitimate need exists for all

of these projects in terms of public safety,

and we are glad that Representative Bud

Shuster is working to bring these road improvements to fruition.

While we have seen disputes on the exact

routing, we believe area residents generally

agree that route 22 traffic creates hazards in

the Hollidaysburg and Lewistown areas. And

anyone who ever has been caught in traffic

on route 36 doesn’t think that a turning lane

in Roaring Spring is pork.

Clinton said Thursday, ‘‘Special interest

road projects—nine in one congressional district—are not as important as giving our

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