E2098 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks October 14, 1999 Though Rabbi Halpern is dedicated to his ca- Budget and Finance for Respect for Law Alli- also been a driving force in countless commu- reer and his community, he has never limited ance Inc. nity service organizations in Santa Barbara. his time and love for his 16-year-old daughter, Aside from his professional duties, Robert He has served on the boards of the United Sasha. Fonti donates his time and energy to such Nations Association of the USA, United Boys Rabbi Michael Stevens, a native of Brook- worthy causes as the New York State Order of & Girls Clubs, the Santa Barbara Symphony, lyn, New York, received both a bachelor's and the Sons of Italy in America, the Coalition of Lobero Theatre Foundation, and the Santa master's degree in music, as well as a mas- Italian American Organizations, and the Boy Barbara Arts Council. He was also founder ter's degree in Hebrew literature. In 1976, Scouts of America. and Chairman of the Nuclear Age Peace Rabbi Stevens was ordained as a Rabbi at the Robert is a devoted husband to his wife, Foundation and Senior Warden at All Saints Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Reli- Barbara, and father to his daughters, Barbara by the Sea Episcopal Church. In addition, Mr. gion in New York. Before coming to Northwest Olivia and Lauren Anne. Drew has served on every committee within Indiana in 1987 to serve the Temple Beth-El Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the the Santa Barbara County United Way organi- in Munster, Rabbi Stevens served as Rabbi of House of Representatives to join me in ex- zation, including Vice-Chair of ``Burn the Mort- Beth Israel Temple Center in Warren, Ohio, tending my congratulations to Robert Fonti as gage in 90'' Campaign, founding member of and of Congregation Rodeph Shalom in Mon- he is honored by the Saul Weprin Democratic the Endowment Committee and Leadership treal, Quebec. He also served as Interim Club for his years of active service to his com- Circle Committee, and Board Treasurer and Rabbi of Congregation Keneseth Israel in Al- munity. President. lentown, Pennsylvania. While Rabbi Stevens f Board certified in Psychiatry and Neurology, has dedicated considerable time and energy now retired, Dr. Ursula Henderson Drew was to his work, he always made an extra effort to IN RECOGNITION OF JAMES in private practice in Santa Barbara since give to the community. He has served on the CONLON 1977. She married Wallace T. Drew in 1993. Lake County AIDS Pastoral Care Network, re- She has served on the Santa Barbara City viewed concerts of the Northwest Indiana HON. BOB FRANKS College Foundation and on the Advisory Com- Symphony Orchestra, composed music for the OF NEW JERSEY mittee for the Garvin Theatre. She has also Temple Beth-El choir, and has played the role IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES served on the boards of the Santa Barbara Film Festival and the Ensemble Theatre. As of the Rabbi in a production of ``Fiddler on the Thursday, October 14, 1999 Roof.'' He has served for many years on the Chairwoman of the Department of Psychiatry faculty of the Olin-Sang-Ruby Union Institute Mr. FRANKS of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I at Cottage Hospital, she also served on the camp in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, and cur- rise today to acknowledge an admirable and Committee for the Homeless and the Physi- rently teaches in the Department of English dedicated resident of Union, New Jersey who cian's Well-Being Committee. She currently and Philosophy at Purdue University Calumet. has graciously served his community for many serves on the Board of the Santa Barbara Rabbi and Judy Stevens are the proud par- years. Mental Health Association. Her latest leader- ents of four wonderful children, David, Joshua, James Conlon is a graduate of the Rutgers ship role has been Co-Chair of a $1.5 million Andrea, and Aaron. University School of Law and member of the campaign to reopen Health House and retain The special guest at this gala event will be New Jersey State and Union County Bar As- Sarah House. Mr. Uriel Lynn. Mr. Lynn is a distinguished sociations. He served for 21 years as a Union Mr. Speaker, I was honored to join the lawyer and businessman and a former highly Township Committee member where he went United Way in recognizing Wallace and Ursula regarded member of Israel's Knesset. on to become Mayor for five terms between Drew for their generosity to the City of Santa Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my distin- 1975 and 1982. Mr. Conlon was an attorney Barbara. I am inspired by the Drews' service guished colleagues to join me in congratu- for Union Township from 1982 to 1993 and and commitment to their fellow citizens. The lating Rabbis Stanley Halpern and Michael has been admitted to practice law before the lifetime achievements of Wallace and Ursula Stevens for receiving the Shema Yisrael United States Supreme Court. Henderson Drew will continue in perpetuity. Award. Their dedicated service to both the Mr. Conlon has contributed countless hours f of his time to the younger community in Union, State of Israel and our Northwest Indiana TRIBUTE TO BRIGADIER GENERAL as well as to the fight against cancer. He has community is commendable and admirable. ROBERT CARDENAS f served as counsel to the American Lung As- sociation of New Jersey and acted as a former IN RECOGNITION OF ROBERT trustee for the Boys and Girls Club of Union. HON. DUNCAN HUNTER FONTI In addition, Mr. Conlon has exhibited a strong OF CALIFORNIA involvement in the religious community as a IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HON. GARY L. ACKERMAN member of, and advocate for, the Union Coun- Thursday, October 14, 1999 OF NEW YORK cil Knights of Columbus. Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, to quote one of IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Mr. Conlon is an example of courage, integ- our Nation's greatest Presidents, Ronald rity, and commitment through his political, pro- Thursday, October 14, 1999 Reagan: fessional, and civic efforts to better the com- Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today Those who say that we’re in a time when munity of Union, New Jersey. Please join me there are no heroes just don’t know where to to pay tribute to Mr. Robert G. Fonti as he is in thanking him for his years of service and look. You can see heroes every day going in honored by the Saul Weprin Democratic Club wishing him continued success. and out of factory gates. Others, a handful in on Sunday, October 17th, 1999 at the club's f number, produce enough food to feed all of us 42nd annual dinner dance. and then the world beyond. You meet heroes Robert Fonti is an active member of the HONORING WALLACE T. DREW AND across a counter—and they’re on both sides Board of Governors of the Saul Weprin Demo- DR. URSULA HENDERSON DREW of that counter. There are entrepreneurs— cratic Club. He is the President and the CEO with faith in themselves and faith in an of the Vincent James Management Company idea—who create new jobs, new wealth and HON. LOIS CAPPS opportunity. They’re individuals and fami- where he specializes in Real Estate Brokerage OF CALIFORNIA lies whose taxes support the government and and Property management. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES whose voluntary gifts support church, char- An alumni of St. John's University, Robert ity, culture, art and education. Their patri- Fonti earned a Bachelor and a Master of Arts Thursday, October 14, 1999 otism is quiet but deep. Their values sustain in Government and Politics as well as a Cer- Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to our national life. tificate in Public Administration. He is actively bring to the attention of my colleagues two ex- San Diego is fortunate to have many heroes involved in professional organizations such as traordinary people, who on October 9th were in our community. I would like to take this op- the National Realty Organization, the Real Es- honored by their community with the distin- portunity to highlight one of our local heroes tate Board of Education, the New York Asso- guished United Way Community Excellence and honor his sacrifice and achievements. ciation of Realty Managers and the National Award. Many of you may already know the story of Asbestos Council. As a real estate consultant Wallace T. Drew has had an impressive ca- Brigadier General Robert Cardenas (USAF re- to the Town of Huntington, Robert Fonti ad- reer as a managing director for Revlon, Inc., tired), one of the greatest test pilots of all time. vises the Town Board on all trustee and land head of Coty Inc. and Vice President of the While General Cardenas is well known for use matters. He also serves as the VP of local Salomon Smith Barney. Mr. Drew has being the pilot of the aircraft that dropped the CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E2099 X±1 being flown by Chuck Yeager, he also A Roman Catholic, Nyerere was married management programs, Pfizer helps people was the test pilot for the ``Flying Wing'', the and had eight children. control their illness, rather than letting peoples' Northrop YB±49, in 1947 and 1948. The Fly- The current President of Tanzania, Presi- illness control them. ing Wing was a revolutionary aircraft at the dent Mkapa, has announced that a state fu- Recognized as one of the world's most ad- time and to be chosen as a test pilot was a neral will be held for Nyerere in Dar es Sa- mired companies, Pfizer was recently named great honor. It was also a very dangerous as- laam early next week. ``Company of the Year'' by Forbes magazine. signment. General Cardenas, in an interview f I applaud the employees of Pfizer in Groton described one particular test flight where ``he and around the world on the company's 150th RECOGNITION OF THE 150TH found himself at the controls of an airplane anniversary for the many contributions they ANNIVERSARY OF PFIZER, INC. that was pointing almost straight up; refusing have made to improving the health and well- to respond to the controls, it was falling tail- being of millions in this country and across the first at 5,000 feet per minute. The aircraft then HON. SAM GEJDENSON globe. tumbled over backwards.'' General Cardenas OF CONNECTICUT managed to land the aircraft safely. In January IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES RECOGNITION OF THOMAS G. LABONTE 1949, General Cardenas flew the YB±49 on a Thursday, October 14, 1999 high-speed exhibition run to Washington, DC, and where a famous picture of the YB±49 fly- Mr. GEJDENSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 150th anniversary of HON. ROBERT A. WEYGAND ing over the U.S. Capitol was taken. OF RHODE ISLAND The Flying Wing project was eventually can- Pfizer, Inc. and to congratulate the company IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES celed and the plane was not duplicated until on its pioneering innovations in the vital phar- the current B±2 aircraft. It is safe to say, how- maceutical industry. Pfizer's story is one of ad- Thursday, October 14, 1999 ever, that without test pilots like General venture, risk-taking, bold decision-making, and lifesaving. It's the chronicle of a small chem- Mr. WEYGAND. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to Cardenas who were willing to risk their lives, honor the 1999 National Distinguished Prin- we would not have the B±2 today. General ical firm from Brooklyn, NY, which, over the years, has become one of the world's premier cipal from the State of Rhode Island, Thomas Cardenas is a true American Hero and our Labonte. Thom is in Washington this week to country owes him a debt for his contributions pharmaceutical enterprises. Pfizer now em- ploys close to 50,000 people in 85 countries, join his peers and accept this prestigious to the development of our national security. honor. I am particularly pleased to honor f including 4,939 employees in Groton, CT. Pfizer's products are now available in 150 Thom today, as I have had the opportunity to TRIBUTE TO FORMER PRESIDENT countries. These products treat a variety of know him and his family since we grew up in JULIUS NYERERE diseases and conditions, such as hyper- the same city and our paths have crossed nu- tension, Alzheimer's, infections, diabetes, and merous times throughout our lives. He worked arthritis. at the local pharmacy my family frequented, HON. DONALD M. PAYNE his brother went to high school with me, he OF NEW JERSEY Cousins Charles Pfizer and Charles Erhart emigrated to New York from Ludwigsberg, was my son's principal in East Providence and IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Germany in the mid-1840s. In the U.S., the his son started as an intern in my State house Thursday, October 14, 1999 young cousins united their skills and opened office and now serves on my staff in Wash- Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay shop as a chemical firm in 1849. Charles ington. tribute to a great man, a great statesman, a Pfizer & Co. filled a gap in the American Thom began as a classroom teacher in East man of great compassion and a visionary who chemical market by manufacturing specialty Providence in 1970 and was appointed prin- believed strongly in Africa's ability to forge a chemicals that had not been produced in cipal of Kent Heights Elementary School in prosperous future of unity and peace. Former America. The company made many important 1986. During his time at Kent Heights, he President Julius Nyerere of Tanzania passed breakthroughs and developed popular and ef- oversaw the expansion of this neighborhood away today in London at age 77 after losing fective drug treatments in its first 75 years. school to a school which educates over 320 a 2-year battle with leukemia. Medicines developed by Pfizer helped to save students today. My son was one of Thom's Known affectionately throughout Africa as many lives during the Civil War. students before Thom left Kent Heights to be- Mwalimu, or ``teacher'' in Swahili, President However, it took bold decision-making to come the principal at the Watters and Julius Nyerere was the father of Tanzanian catapult Pfizer into its role as a trendsetter in Meadowscrest Elementary Schools and begin independence and a symbol of Africa's hope the antibiotic era and a leader in the pharma- his service in Pawtucket in 1990. as it emerged from the shadow of European ceutical industry. In 1928, when Alexander When he first arrived at Elizabeth Baldwin colonial rule. Fleming discovered the germ-killing properties Elementary School in Pawtucket, he served as He led the drive for the independence of his of the ``mold juice'' secreted by penicillium, he the sole administrator in a school with nearly East African nation from British rule and be- knew that it could have enormous medical 800 students, 90 percent of whom were eligi- came the country's first president in 1962. value. Unfortunately, Fleming was unable to ble for free or reduced lunch. Considering that In 1979, in defiance of the Organization of mass-produce penicillin. In 1941, following working with high risk students is one of his African Unity, President Nyerere sent troops to new research relating to this ``wonder drug,'' passions, it is no surprise that Thom thrived in Uganda in response to the intense suffering of Pfizer executives risked their own stocks and this setting. During his time in Pawtucket, he the Ugandan people under the brutal dictato- invested millions of dollars to develop a proc- also developed and began the first teacher rial regime of Idi Amin Dada. That operationÐ ess to mass±produce penicillin. Thankfully, mentoring program, which provides new one of the first humanitarian missions of its they were successful. With the U.S. Govern- teachers with a seasoned and experienced kindÐwould help set a legal precedent for ment desperate for penicillin to aid soldiers in mentor as they begin their careers. This men- peacekeeping missions all over the globe. World War II, the company, in true patriotic toring program has been lauded statewide as Nyerere stepped down as president in 1985 spirit, agreed to share its method with com- a model. after 23 years in office to devote his time to petitors while still leading the way in penicillin When he arrived in South Kingstown, he farming and diplomacy. He worked tirelessly to production. continued his refreshing and creative edu- negotiate an end to the violence that has From this point on, Pfizer expanded into a cational leadership. While principal of Wake- plagued central and southern Africa in the global leadership role in the pharmaceutical in- field Elementary School, he was appointed to past decade. dustry. The company opened operations serve concurrently as the director of the Haz- Most recently, Nyerere's efforts were di- around the world and developed new and ef- ard School where he oversaw the rehabilita- rected toward mediating an end to the bloody fective antibiotics to help in the fight against tion and redevelopment of the town's kinder- civil war in neighboring Burundi, where more deadly bacteria. garten center. He continues to provide a sta- than 200,000 people, mostly civilians, have Pfizer has invested a great amount of its re- ble and thriving learning environment to the been killed since 1993. sources into R&DÐover $2.8 billion in1999 students, teachers, parents in the Wakefield Nyerere wrote eight books mainly on devel- alone. This strategy has resulted in the launch School community. opment and socialism in Africa and Tanzania of many successful drugs that help people live As Thom has said, ``I model the behaviors in particular. He also translated William better lives. By bringing best-in-class medi- I want others to emulate, because I truly re- Shakespeare's plays ``Julius Caesar'' and cines to market and working with patients and spect each child, parent, and teacher, and ``The Merchant of Venice'' into Swahili. physicians to develop comprehensive disease want the school to have a caring atmosphere