June 14, 2000 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS 10897 All Wars,’’ then returned to storm the beaches and Picatinny Arsenal just received that award the Overtown area, it was Mr. Shinhoster who of Normandy a generation later. The Army for the second time in five years! brought calm by urging the immediate suspen- fought the ‘‘Cold Wars’’ of Korea and Vietnam, The men and women of Picatinny Arsenal sion and investigation of two Miami police offi- and the conflicts and insurgencies that fol- are a unique and special group, military and cers accused of killing two Overtown resi- lowed, and stormed the deserts of Kuwait. civilians alike. Year after year, as we have dents. And, every day, our Army guards our borders seen overall defense spending decrease, they When 34 Haitian bodies washed ashore in and keeps our nation strong and secure. have been asked to do more with less, and Miami, this young leader came back to com- Only recently have we begun to learn some have risen to the challenge by continuing to miserate with our Haitian community, helping of the stories of the brave men and women excel at their missions. The ammunition and to bury the dead and calling for the authorities who defended our nation’s freedom during weapons systems developed at Picatinny Ar- to investigate the circumstances surrounding World War II because of movies like ‘‘Saving senal are used by every soldier in the Army, the tragedy. Given the magnitude of our com- Private Ryan,’’ books such as ‘‘Citizen Sol- every day. Many of the new technologies engi- munity’s trauma from multiple sources, it was dier,’’ and the recent opening of the D-Day neered at Picatinny have no equal in the Mr. Shinhoster’s creative genius and utmost Museum in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are world. understanding that gave rise to the creation of the stories of the soldiers who watched the By winning this award, Picatinny has proven the NAACP’s Office of Urban Affairs to sup- shrapnel ‘‘come down like rain’’ in the Hurtgen to all what I have long known—that they are port the healing of a community torn asunder Forest in Germany, and who ‘‘grew up over- the best of the best in the Army. And today, by severe urban turbulence. night’’ on the beaches of Normandy. I pay tribute to those men and women, and to And when in the mid 80’s tensions came to But we should not forget the stories of the all they have accomplished behind the scenes rip apart relations between the Black and Jew- other men and women who served in the to secure our nation’s liberty. ish communities, it was again Earl Shinhoster Army, including the estimated 480,000 who Again, Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to offer who came to the rescue, urging and facilitating wear the uniform today. Every day these men my support to H.J. Res. 101, and urge all my a dialogue between the groups. and women put their lives on the line for us, colleagues to do the same. The decade of the 80’s marked Mr. asking little in return. It is because of these f Shinhoster’s defining moment as he unabash- men and women, and the countless ones who edly spoke out at meetings, radio talk shows, served before them, that we enjoy the many TRIBUTE TO THE LATE EARL T. TV programs and countless forums and con- benefits of freedom and liberty today. And we SHINHOSTER—FREEDOM FIGHT- ferences, espousing the NAACP’s stance on a should take the opportunity to thank them for ER, HUMAN AND CIVIL RIGHTS myriad of issues verging on school busing and their service and dedication to our nation. ACTIVIST, GREAT AMERICAN fair housing. He was forthright in putting banks But I also want to take time today to recog- and insurance companies on notice for cov- nize the contributions of one Army base in my HON. CARRIE P. MEEK ertly and overtly resorting to redlining and district, Picatinny Arsenal, which pre-dates our OF FLORIDA mortgage discrimination practices, and ques- Army! The ‘‘Middle Forge’’ that was estab- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES tioning the use of deadly force by the police lished at the base of Picatinny Peak in 1749 under the guise of maintaining law and order. Wednesday, June 14, 2000 evolved into an iron works which provided He was brutally frank in assessing the unfair- cannon shot, bar iron, shovels and axes for Mrs. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise to ness of the death penalty and decrying the General George Washington’s Revolutionary pay tribute to one of our nation’s unsung he- rise of youth crime among Blacks on one Army. roes, the late Earl T. Shinhoster, one of the hand, while applauding the merits of minority Designated as the Picatinny Powder Depot noblest among the NAACP’s indefatigable set asides, affirmative action and a fair immi- in 1880 by the War Department, the installa- leaders. His untimely demise in a car accident gration policy for all on the other. tion began producing explosives. During World suffered some 25 miles away from historic When in 1992 Hurricane Andrew unleashed War I, Picatinny produced everything from rifle Montgomery, AL on Sunday, June 11, 2000 its awesome destructive power upon our com- ammunition to large caliber Navy projectiles. leaves a gaping void in our nation’s quest for munity, making it the nation’s costliest natural The ‘‘modern’’ facility dates back to a mas- simple justice and equality of opportunity. disaster, once again Mr. Shinhoster came to sive explosion at Picatinny in 1926, after My State of Florida and most specifically, our rescue by orchestrating the NAACP’s re- which the arsenal was rebuilt and expanded. Miami-Dade County, will surely miss him for sponse to those whose lives and spirits were As a result, during World War II, the govern- the longevity of his genuine commitment to drastically dislocated. ment turned to Picatinny and its nearly 20,000 our well-being under the aegis of the NAACP. Under Earl Shinhoster’s leadership, Florida’s military and civilian employees to produce When I think of Mr. Shinhoster’s work in Flor- barriers to Black access to political represen- bombs, explosives, fuzes, artillery ammunition ida, it is clear that it parallels much of our tation and voter participation were removed. and other critical ordinance needed to support State’s history as it struggled through the And for the first time in the 20th century, Afri- our forces who were fighting for freedom countless challenges of racial equality. can-Americans were able to run and serve on around the world. And, ultimately, the Army I first came to know him during the begin- elected boards, city councils, school boards, consolidated all weapons system research at ning of the 1980’s when Liberty City was the county commissions, the State Legislature. Fi- Picatinny in 1977. scene of an unprecedented police brutality as nally, in the 1990’s as a result of his indefati- Today, Picatinny is a premier research and it went up in flames in the aftermath of the kill- gable leadership, I along with my colleagues development facility which has produced the ing of an innocent insurance executive, Arthur ALCEE HASTINGS and CORRINE BROWN became Crusader Self-Propelled Howitzer, the Light- McDuffie, at the hands of the police. In his the first African-Americans from Florida to be weight 155mm Towed Howitzer, the Objective role as Southeast Regional Director of the elected to the U.S. Congress since the Recon- Individual Combat and Crew Served Weap- NAACP, Mr. Shinhoster helped to restore calm struction Period almost a century ago. ons, the Precision Guided Mortar Munition and and sanity to what was then a thoroughly be- Blessed with a lucid common sense and the Wide Area Munition. In addition, sieged community. quick grasp of the issues at hand, Mr. Picatinny’s researchers have developed fuzes, Prior to this heartrending episode that Shinhoster was also imbued with the rare wis- pyrotechnics and non-lethal systems in use by gripped my community, this young crusader dom of recognizing both the strengths and lim- the Army and other services as well. came in our midst to give hope and courage itations of those who have been empowered Despite reductions in personnel, and fund- to countless parents from the innercity, chal- to govern. The acumen of his intelligence and ing, to Army R&D installations across the lenging them to be involved with their chil- the timeliness of his vision were felt at a time country, Picatinny Arsenal continues to excel dren’s schools and urging them to keep the when my community and this nation needed and exceed all expectations. Last month, I faith toward helping them achieve mastery of someone to put in perspectives the simmering was honored to attend a ceremony at the Pen- the basic skills and academic excellence. He agony of disenfranchised African-Americans tagon where Picatinny Arsenal was presented managed to return again and again, espousing and other minorities yearning to belong. with this year’s Commander in Chief’s Award the same message upon which the success of I vividly recall that when government and for Installation Excellence. This is an elite minority schoolchildren could be forged. community leaders met to douse the still-burn- honor, bestowed upon the top Army, Navy, Air Then in 1983, when Miami was yet again ing embers of the Liberty City and Overtown Force and Marine installations in the nation, embroiled for 3 days in racial disturbance in racial disturbances, his was the firm voice of

VerDate Aug 04 2004 14:53 Oct 15, 2004 Jkt 079102 PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 0689 Sfmt 9920 E:\BR00\E14JN0.000 E14JN0 10898 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS June 14, 2000 reason and conscience, wisely articulating his International Communications annual con- schools that support our military and Native credo that we have got to learn to live and un- ference to Florida. American children. In some cases, Impact Aid derstand each other, or we run the risk of Serving as the host of this event is Mer- supplies a critical portion of school districts’ shamefully reaping the grapes of wrath from chandising & Marketing Corporation. As a cor- operating budgets. In Cumberland County those who have been left out. poration located in my Congressional District, Schools in North Carolina, Impact Aid rep- Mr. Earl T. Shinhoster truly exemplified a I am proud that they have been chosen to resents more than $2 million of their school calm but reasoned leadership whose courage host this important conference. In fact, this is budget. Mr. Chairman, we have a responsi- and wisdom appealed to our noblest character the second time that the Merchandising & bility to assist those school districts impacted as a nation. While he will be missed by all of Marketing Corporation has been chosen to by a Federal presence. I encourage my col- us, we will celebrate the gift of his life and host this event. leagues to join me in voting against any thank God for sending him to grace our paths I congratulate them on their selection, and I amendments that would threaten the Impact at a time when we most needed him. am sure that the Graphic International Com- Aid Program. My pride in sharing his friendship is only ex- munications annual meeting will be a major f ceeded by my eternal gratitude for all that he success. HONORING THE HISTORY OF has sacrificed on our behalf. This is the mag- f O’FALLON, ILLINOIS nificent legacy by which we will honor his DEBT REDUCTION ACT memory. HON. JERRY F. COSTELLO f HON. PHILIP M. CRANE OF ILLINOIS RECOGNIZING 225TH BIRTHDAY OF IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF ILLINOIS THE UNITED STATES ARMY Wednesday, June 14, 2000 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, today I’d like SPEECH OF Wednesday, June 14, 2000 my colleagues to join me in honoring the his- HON. SILVESTRE REYES Mr. CRANE. Mr. Speaker, deficit spending tory of one of the oldest communities in my OF TEXAS has run rampant for too long. The federal debt congressional district. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES has ballooned to nearly $6 trillion. With this The City of O’Fallon, Illinois was named in legislation for the first time since 1917 we are honor of Colonel John O’Fallon. He was a sol- Tuesday, June 13, 2000 reversing this trend. dier, a businessman, a real estate owner and Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, it is with a tre- Uncle Sam will actually begin to pay off our a public minded citizen. His father, James mendous sense of pride that I rise to con- $6 trillion credit card bill. Paying off our huge O’Fallon was a physician who came to this gratulate the United States Army on its 225th debt should be a top priority, not an after- country shortly before the Revolutionary War Birthday. For 225 years, our men and women thought. and served as a surgeon in George Washing- have answered the call and served this Na- Under current law, any money left over at ton’s Army. After the war, he went to Louis- tion, where they were needed and when they the end of the year is used to reduce the debt. ville, Kentucky where he met and married were needed. For over two centuries members This bill makes debt reduction a priority by Frances Clark, a sister of George Rogers of the Army have fought and died on distant setting aside the money up front. Clark and William Clark, army officers, who shores to ensure that not only Americans re- Reducing the public debt is good for the became famous in the development of the main free, but more importantly, to also pro- country. It increases national saving and Mississippi Valley. tect the freedoms of other people. makes it more likely that the economy will John’s father died when he was a child and I’ve felt the camaraderie, been part of the continue growing strong. American families he was reared and educated by his mother tradition, and felt the hardship of service in the benefit through lower interest rates on mort- and uncles. With his army background, he be- Army. There is no more noble profession, and gages and other loans, more jobs, better came a soldier. He fought in the War of 1812 there are no words that can suitably honor the wages, and ultimately higher living standards. where he rose to the rank of Captain. After the men and women of the Army who served in Reducing the public debt strengthens the war ended, O’Fallon became assistant Indian the past and continue to serve today. Today government’s fiscal position by reducing inter- Agent to his Uncle William Clark of the Lewis members of the Army serve in Europe, Korea, est costs and promoting economic growth. and Clark expedition. Later he became a con- Bosnia, Kosovo and a hundred other locations This makes it easier for the government to af- tractor, buying and selling Army supplies. He far away from their homes, friends and fami- ford its future budget obligations. invested his money and became involved with lies. f the expanding railroad industry across the na- However distant, whatever the challenge, for tion. He promoted the Missouri Pacific rail- 225 years, the United States Army has fought DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, road, as well as the Wabash and the B&O rail- the Nation’s wars and served its country hon- HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, roads. His involvement with railroads and the orably in peace. I commend the men and AND EDUCATION, AND RELATED purchase of lands lead him to become the women of the Army, and again, congratulate AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS namesake of both O’Fallon, Illinois and them on this very special birthday. ACT, 2001 O’Fallon, Missouri. His purchase of lands in an f area north of St. Louis also lead to the devel- SPEECH OF opment of the community of O’Fallon Park. He GRAPHIC INTERNATIONAL HON. ROBIN HAYES gave generously to St. Louis University and COMMUNICATIONS Washington University. He also formed an in- OF NORTH CAROLINA stitute which became the forerunner of today’s IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HON. E. CLAY SHAW, JR. St. Louis High Schools and the City’s public li- OF FLORIDA Tuesday, June 13, 2000 brary. O’Fallon, Illinois was formed around the IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES The House in Committee of the Whole depot and a water tank for the B&O railroad. Wednesday, June 14, 2000 House on the State of the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 4577) making ap- A newly replicated depot stands near the site Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, on Sunday, June propriations for the Departments of Labor, of the beginnings of this community. O’Fallon 23, 2000 the Graphic International Commu- Health and Human Services, and Education, was incorporated as a village in 1874 and in nications 2000 meeting will commence in Or- and related agencies for the fiscal year end- 1905 became a town. O’Fallon’s early growth lando, Florida. Graphic International Commu- ing September 30, 2001, and for other pur- was due to the large coal mining industry in nications is an international marketing organi- poses; the region. O’Fallon was also home to major zation representing pioneering companies in Mr. HAYES. Mr. Chairman, I cannot support businesses like Willard Stove, Tiedeman Mill- seventeen nations around the world. any amendment to FY 2001 Labor-Health and ing and the Independent Engineering Com- Mr. Speaker, as chairman of the Florida Human Services–Education bill that will cut pany. O’Fallon also had abundant agricultural Congressional Delegation, it is my honor to funding to Impact Aid. Impact Aid is a crucial land which supported large farming oper- welcome those participating in the Graphic element of the basic financial support for ations.

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