Congressional Record United States Th of America PROCEEDINGS and DEBATES of the 107 CONGRESS, FIRST SESSION

E PL UR UM IB N U U S Congressional Record United States th of America PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES OF THE 107 CONGRESS, FIRST SESSION Vol. 147 WASHINGTON, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2001 No. 178 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS HONORING PEPPERELL MIDDLE tremely hard, soliciting in many ways other World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, fall SCHOOL, ROME, GA, ‘‘34,288 CANS than just going house to house. Some stu- of the Soviet Union and now, the war against OF FOOD IN THE HALL’’ dents donated their ice cream money; they terrorism. Throughout this time period they held a dance and a talent show to raise have devoted their lives to agricultural produc- HON. BOB BARR money. The school has led the entire state in tion and determined community service. Pete OF GEORGIA Can-a-Thon donations for 8 straight years. was the president of the Crook Volunteer Fire IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Eight years ago, a tornado hit the Lindale Department for 27 years and Lena was the or- community, destroying or damaging many ganist and pianist in a Crook church for over Wednesday, December 19, 2001 homes, and leaving many families homeless. 45 years. The Neins serve as a shining exam- Mr. BARR of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, the The Salvation Army was immediately there to ple, not only for their community, but for all main hall of Pepperell Middle School, located assist those families. The students of Americans. in the small community of Lindale, just outside Pepperell Middle School decided at that time As a husband and father of five, I have the city of Rome, GA, has been lined with to secure canned goods for those who experi- come to adore the example of a strong mar- 12×25 inch cardboard boxes stacked halfway enced losses due to the storm. They found riage and loving children. Pete and Lena start- to the ceiling for several weeks. The boxes great satisfaction in helping those in need; and ed their lives together humbly, working hard to were crammed with more than 34,000 cans of the tradition continues each year with the Can- build a happy and successful life together. My food; all donated by students for this year’s a-Thon. admiration for them, and the fortitude and local Salvation Army Can-a-Thon. The principal, staff, faculty, students, their commitment they have demonstrated is deep. Sponsored by Atlanta NBC affiliate WXIA families, and, indeed, the entire community, Through the good times and the bad, Pete 11-Alive; Rome radio stations WRGA, Q–102, are to be commended for their outstanding and Lena’s love has forged a seemingly un- South 107; and the Forum, the Salvation Army participation in this event. It is with great pride breakable bond. Can-a-Thon accepts donations of canned, I recognize them today as true community Pete and Lena Nein are amazing role mod- non-perishable food items in the Forum’s main leaders. I am honored to serve as their Rep- els. As a Member of Congress, it is my honor parking lot on a designated day in December. resentative in the U.S. Congress. to congratulate both Pete and Lena on their On November 1st each year, students begin f anniversary. Pete and Lena let nothing stand to solicit canned goods from family, friends, between their unceasing love for one another neighbors, and others. Last year, over 24,000 TRIBUTE TO MR. PETE AND LENA on their glorious day. I ask the House to join cans were collected by students at Pepperell NEIN me in extending wholehearted congratulations Middle School. The goal for 2001 was set at to Mr. and Mrs. Pete Nein. 26,000 cans. Once they exceeded that total, a HON. BOB SCHAFFER f new goal was set at 30,000 cans. On the OF COLORADO IN RECOGNITION OF THE CITY OF morning of Friday, December 7, a large Ma- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES rine Corps truck made its way to Pepperell GAINESVILLE Middle School. Upon arrival, students loaded Wednesday, December 19, 2001 34,288 cans of food onto the truck which was Mr. SCHAFFER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today HON. RALPH M. HALL escorted by the local police, and two bus to express gratitude to Mr. and Mrs. Pete and OF TEXAS loads of students from the school, making its Lena Nein of Crook, Colorado, on their 70th IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES way to the Forum. Wedding Anniversary. In honor of this extraor- The annual holiday Can-a-Thon collected dinary occasion, I would like to convey to Wednesday, December 19, 2001 more than 70,000 cans from throughout the them my genuine congratulations. Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise city and county. Approximately 700 baskets Pete and Lena were married on January 3, today to speak in recognition of the City of will be filled with canned goods and will be 1932 in Sedgwick, Colorado, where they Gainesville, Texas, which has recently insti- given to families in need. The food will also go began their lives together. Mr. and Mrs. Nein tuted the Medal of Honor Host City Program. toward providing daily meals for men, women, moved to Crook, in 1934 where they rented This program, unique in the nation, will pro- and children who seek shelter at the Salvation 160 acres of land and began farming with vide a stipend to cover lodging, food and Army. horse-drawn equipment. Their first house, in some travel expenses to Medal of Honor re- Pepperell Middle School principal Frank which they lived for 42 years, had electricity cipients visiting the City of Gainesville. Pinson is justifiably and extremely proud of his installed in 1936. Indoor plumbing was not in- The Medal of Honor Host City Program students, saying, ‘‘this is a big deal thing to stalled until 1940. Pete and Lena have wit- seeks both to honor the 149 living Medal of them, and it teaches them one of the greatest nessed and experienced extraordinary events Honor recipients and to expose the citizens of lessons they learn.’’ The students work ex- including the Dust Bowl, Great Depression, Gainesville—especially its youth—to true ∑ This ‘‘bullet’’ symbol identifies statements or insertions which are not spoken by the Member on the floor. Matter set in this typeface indicates words inserted or appended, rather than spoken, by a Member of the House on the floor. E2339 . VerDate 11<MAY>2000 06:09 Dec 28, 2001 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 0666 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A20DE8.000 pfrm07 PsN: E20PT1 E2340 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks December 20, 2001 American heroes. The local Veterans of For- rence and I strolled side by side through the findings as to how all criteria have been satis- eign Wars Post No. 1922, and community Capitol as he donned his signature bow tie fied. leaders, initiated the project to help recognize and me wearing a more conventional necktie. Fourth, I put forth language that would dou- these men of valor and to give the citizens of He represented the wealthy suburban Main ble—from $900,000 to $1.8 million—the re- Gainesville the chance to hear, first-hand, their Line area of Philadelphia and I represent the sources for the BIA’s Branch of Acknowledg- amazing stories. vibrant Harlem area of New York City. How- ment and Research Division to upgrade its The Congressional Medal of Honor Society ever, we had many shared interests and expe- recognition process. announced the project to its members at its riences. To help localities adversely affected by fed- October annual reunion. Two Medal of Honor Lawrence Coughlin served in the Marine erally recognized tribes, my bill provides $8 recipients visited Gainesville on Veterans Day. Corps during the Korean War. His military million in grants to local governments to assist This program was organized before the training was evident in the way he conducted such governments in participating in certain tragedies of September 11, but in light of re- himself in the Congress. He was a very dis- decisions related to certain Indian groups and cent events, projects like the Gainesville ciplined man who took a dogged approach to Indian tribes. These grants could be applied Medal of Honor Host City Program highlight tackling the difficult problems that face the na- retroactively to any local government that has the sacrifice, patriotism and sense of duty that tion and the Congress. I remember his pas- spent money on decisions related to certain have been a foundation of our great nation. sion for the youth of our great nation. This Indian groups and/or tribes. Our Medal of Honor recipients are living ex- passion was the source of his drive to do In addition, my legislation also creates a amples of those values and are the best mes- whatever was necessary during his tenure on grant program of $10 million to be made avail- sengers to tell the price of freedom. While in the Select Committee on Narcotics Abuse and able to federally impacted towns for relevant Gainesville, these extraordinary individuals will Control to rid our communities of the scourge infrastructure, public safety and social service meet with school classes, speak to civic of drugs. Although some would say, Lawrence needs directly related to tribal activities. groups and others who would like to hear had a Patrician air about him I would say he And lastly, the measure would institute a about their experiences. It gives the honorees had the air of a proud ex-marine who viewed ‘‘cooling off period’’ of one year, in which any a forum for their thoughts and gives Gaines- the war on drugs as a series of unending bat- high-level BIA official could not appear before ville the chance to thank them for all that they tles to be confronted head on until the war their former agency.

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