September 27, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1729 It seems as if we are not free to exercise who have distinguished themselves through ness Improvement District, Maria has encour- differing opinions and entertain alternative their exceptional achievements on the base- aged and implemented the revitalization of our political affiliations in pursuit of the same ball diamond. Through their outstanding exhi- Jamaica Avenue shopping strip. As a result of goals. Recently, the mayor of Savannah (a black bition of athletic performance and sportsman- her efforts, she has attracted quality busi- Democrat) was quoted in your newspaper as ship, these individuals serve as reminders of nesses and improved security and lighting having said, ‘‘Colin Powell is the most dan- what can be accomplished when people work along the commercial strip. gerous African-American in the nation.’’ together for a mutual goal. As a testament to her dedication to the One hopes this was an error on the part of Baseball has long been the national pas- community, when Engine Company No. 294 the reporter, If not, it is yet another re- time. Although the sport has provided enjoy- closed due to New York City budget cuts, minder of how vicious the anti-diversity at- ment to those who had played it intramurally, Maria Thomson worked as first cochairman of titude is among some of us. the earliest organized game took place in what the committee to save Engine Company No. Would the names of icons like Frederick Douglass, Jesse Owens, Jackie Robinson, is now my district on June 19, 1846 on the 294. Eventually, this fire engine company was Zora Neale Hurston or even Sir Charles Bar- Elysian Fields in Hoboken. From the first pitch, reopened to restore safe living conditions for kley need to be stricken from the hearts and it was obvious that this new sport would have area residents. minds of admiring African-Americans be- a tremendously positive effect on all future Those in the Woodhaven community have cause they are (gasp!) Republicans? participants. This can be seen in the young come to recognize Maria Thomson's name as If so, then former NAACP Executive Direc- men who took part in the International Base- a household word because of her sincere in- tor Benjamin Hooks would have to be ball Tournament in Breda, Holland. terest and dedication to community better- striken from the record of his organization, The multi-national celebration of baseball ment. She is known to always be ready to because he too is a Republican. One can only wonder how far the anti-di- took place from August 18 to 26. The River lend an ear and a hand to anyone who asks versity klan will go in its unholy war Vale American Legion team was the only for her assistance. It is for all these reasons against those of use who choose not to ride American team to participate in the tour- which I take great pride in recognizing Mrs. the donkey in the future. What is so criminal nament. Other countries which competed in Maria Thomson as true community hero. I about now following liberal policies whose the week-long activity included Russia, Italy, urge my colleagues to recognize her and wish good intentions have been outstripped by an France, Germany and Holland, the host coun- her well in all of her future endeavors. unsocial program plantation that nutates try. While in Holland, the players lived with na- f motivation into increasingly depressing, tive families, toured various cities and at- even dangerous, directions? CONGRATULATIONS TO UNION- The inner city has been the testing ground tended a number of social functions. The group of 12 young men who success- TOWN, PA, AS IT MARKS ITS for schemes whose damage to health human 200TH BIRTHDAY potential rivals even the programs of the fully represented the United States included: Austrian paperhanger and Karl Marx’s step- Steven Batista, Michael Della Donna, Seth children. Jason Testa, Craig De Vincenzo, Luke Frezza, HON. FRANK MASCARA Essentially, paying poor women to have Mathew Kent, Michael Wren, Scott Clark, Mi- OF PENNSYLVANIA more fatherless children and providing end- chael Russini, Russell Romano, Thomas IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES less excuses for community criminals whose Lamanowicz, and Thomas King. Each athlete lethal adventures in the ‘‘hood amass body Thursday, September 26, 1996 earned the respect of his peers. Joseph counts that would be unacceptable in other Mr. MASCARA. Mr. Speaker, I would like to communities are far from being acceptable Pistone and Thomas De Vincenzo coached measures of one’s ‘‘blackness.’’ them to their undefeated, 10±0, tournament- take a moment today to congratulate the resi- Still, the anti-diversity klan feels that winning record. dents of the historic city of Uniontown, PA, lo- those who do not embrace these hideous ini- I am certain that my colleagues will join me cated in my district, as they celebrate their bi- tiatives are somehow threats to the well- in recognizing the outstanding efforts of the centennial on October 5, 1996. being of all African-Americans. River Vale American Legion baseball team. Two hundred years ago, in 1796, this beau- Their treatment of Supreme Court Justice The cause of mutual cooperation and under- tiful town, nestled in the foothills of the Appa- Clarence Thomas is their monument to in- standing among people in the United States lachian Mountains, was officially incorporated tolerance. His being a virtual exile among as a borough. From its earliest days, it held a the leadership class of our community is and Europe was greatly enhanced by their nothing short of tragic. participation. These young men will long be major spot in the country's history. We are only four years away from a new remembered as international ambassadors of From its beginnings, Uniontown was consid- century and milleium and this type of our national pastime. ered an important market spot, drawing buyers ‘‘thinking’’ serves as an anchor on our aspi- f and sellers alike from southwestern Penn- rations. Black Republicans, independents sylvania and neighboring Maryland and West and every other kind of political creature are TRIBUTE TO HONOR MRS. MARIA Virginia. This economic activity helped facts of life that these controllers will have THOMSON OF WOODHAVEN, NY, Uniontown become a popular resting stop to accept. BY PLACING HER NAME IN THE along the Nation's first national highway which We have to have a ‘‘big tent’’ approach in CONGRESSIONAL RECORD our community if we our to achieve the ob- ran through the center of town. As such, jectives we claim are so important. Other- Uniontown played a crucial role in encourag- wise, the finger pointing and the shouting HON. CHARLES E. SCHUMER ing the growth and movement of our Nation will be drowned out by the increasing vol- OF NEW YORK westward. umes of triggers being pulled and hands that IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Uniontown also holds the distinction of should be literate hopelessly scribbling on being one of the centers of the Whiskey Re- sheets of paper that threaten to become ar- Thursday, September 26, 1996 bellion, the Farmers Tax Revolt of 1791±94, rest reports if this trend is not ended. Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to which was a major test of the new U.S. Con- Is being blindly loyal to any political party really worth losing everything that we found pay tribute to an unselfish and dedicated citi- stitution. It is also the birthplace of such so hard to attain? zen of Woodhaven, NY, Mrs. Maria Thomson. notables as Chief Justice of the Washington f As a president of the Woodhaven Residents' Territory, Charles Boyle; Industrialist J.V. Block Association, and a member of the Com- Thompson; former U.S. Senator Dr. Daniel IN HONOR OF THE RIVER VALE- munity Board No. 9, Mrs. Thomson's volunteer Sturgeon; Mason-Dixon Surveyor Alexander SPONSORED AMERICAN LEGION efforts have been commendable. In addition to McClean; Revolutionary War Gen. Ephraim BASEBALL TEAM: INTER- her prior achievements, Mrs. Thomson is the Douglas; and last, but not least, Five-star Gen. NATIONAL AMBASSADORS OF chairperson of the 102d Precinct Community George C. Marshall. OUR NATIONAL PASTIME Council, a founding member of the During the late 1880's, Uniontown's fortunes Woodhaven Residents' Security Patrol, and a brightened when it became a hub of the coal HON. ROBERT MENENDEZ graduate of the Civilian Academy of the New and coke boom. Site of some of the most im- OF NEW JERSEY York City Police Department. mense deposits of the finest bituminous soft IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES For nearly 20 years, Mrs. Thomson has la- coal in the world, companies in and around bored tirelessly to improve the quality of life Uniontown dug the coal from the ground and Thursday, September 26, 1996 for the Woodhaven residents. As the executive reduced it to coke for steelmaking in thou- Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today director of the Greater Woodhaven Develop- sands of beehive ovens. The city quickly be- to pay tribute to a special group of young men ment Corporation and the Woodhaven Busi- came the operational and financial center of E1730 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks September 27, 1996 the coal industry and the mercantile and cul- land Journal News recounting the recent re- national organizations as soon as possible. As tural center for mining towns in the surround- union: an economic power and a symbol of democ- ing area. [From the Rockland Journal News, Aug. 25, racy, Taiwan deserves the world's respect and Perhaps the town's most important attribute, 1996] recognition. Since 1949, the Republic of China however, is its hundreds of civic-minded citi- ST. AGNES ALUMNI CELEBRATE MEMORIES on Taiwan has moved from an agricultural so- zens who share a vision to preserve and revi- (By Richard Gooden) ciety, exporting only bananas and sugar, to a talize this very historic place. In recent years, Sparkill.—Art Kingsley provided humor, major trading nation today. Moreover, the 21 the community has pulled together to promote emotion and nostalgia yesterday during the million people on Taiwan are prosperous and tourism and economic development. I am con- 50th anniversary celebration of St. Agnes free. fident all these efforts will prove to be suc- Alumni Association’s founding. He held the Last but not least, I would like to take this cessful and in the coming years, Uniontown attention of 75 feisty people, in 85-degree occasion to congratulate President Lee Teng- will remain a very bright and unique jewel in heat, on the grounds of the Dominican Con- hui and Vice President Lien Chien. I wish the heritage of our Nation. vent. them good luck as they prepare to celebrate Again, I congratulate all the citizens of That was the easy part. their National Day on October 10, 1996. In order to prepare for the day’s events, f Uniontown and know they will have a wonder- the 73-year-old World War II veteran and ful day to celebrate their beginnings and former resident of the St. Agnes Orphanage GOLD ISN’T A WACKO IDEA renew their community spirit. used a chain saw to remove two plaques from f a wall of the Hallan Building. He bought a third plaque. He then dug a shallow 10-by-5 HON. PHILIP M. CRANE THE 50TH ALUMNI ASSOCIATION bed on the lawn, filled it with gray stone and OF ILLINOIS REUNION AT ST. AGNES HOME embedded the plaques in a cream marble. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FOR BOYS ‘‘This is a beautiful work of art,’’ said Thursday, September 26, 1996 James Merna, a resident of St. Agnes from 1946 to 1950 and now head of public relations Mr. CRANE. Mr. Speaker, an old friend, HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN for the alumni association. ‘‘Art Kingsley Owen Frisby brought to my attention an Au- OF NEW YORK made this all happen today.’’ gust 19, 1996 article featured in The Detroit IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES The corner plaques were dedicated to St. News, pertaining to the gold standard. Thursday, September 26, 1996 Agnes physical education teacher James I have contended for years that in order to Faulk and the nuns who worked at the home. revitalize our Nation's economy, we must re- Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, the St. Agnes The convent closed the orphanage in 1977. move from Government the temptation and Home for Boys in Sparkill, NY, was an out- The plaque in the middle honored the 39 the ability to produce chronic budget deficits. soldiers that attended St. Agnes, who died in standing home for orphaned boys for over 100 Restoration of a dependable monetary stand- years. It closed its doors forever back in 1977, World War II and the Korean War. Merna, a stocky round-faced man, eager to ard based on a commodity with fixed value but the many boys who were raised by the help all in attendance, reminisced on the would, by making monetization impossible, ac- loving Dominican Sisters of Sparkill will never transformation from childhood to manhood complish this. It is for this reason that I have forget their kindnesses and the outstanding at St. Agnes. introduced legislation in previous Congresses lessons of life that they learned there. ‘‘We went from the ballfields of St. Agnes reestablishing the Gold Standard. In its over 100 years of existence, thou- to the battlefield of World War II and the Ko- The author of the article emphasizes that sands of orphaned and needy boys were rean War,’’ said the Marine veteran who the Gold Standard has been tested, and prov- reared at St. Agnes home. The home taught graduated from Tappan Zee High School. en over the centuries as the best mechanism Merna challenges any orphanage to equal or these youngsters the importance of patriotism, to protect against destructive inflation and de- which is underscored by the fact that over 555 eclipse the 555 St. Agnes residents who went on to become soldiers. flation. I commend to the attention of my col- graduates of St. Agnes served in the Armed Merna credits Faulk, who died in 1985, with leagues, ``Gold Isn't a Wacko Idea.'' Forces of our Nation during World War II shaping the orphans into productive citizens. [The Detroit News, August 19, 1996] alone. It is hard to believe that any school so In honor of his role model, Merna named his GOLD ISN’TA WACKO IDEA small anywhere else in the Nation could pos- first child James Faulk. Even before Jack Kemp had been named as sibly have produced so many soldiers. Sadly, Pete Lawton, a resident at St. Agnes from Robert Dole’s running partner, the Clinton 39 of them were killed in action during that 1940 to 1948, also shared his recollections of White House was on the attack. In addition conflictÐa record of valor which is probably the football coach while posing for a picture to bashing his tax-cutting ideas, aides to the unequaled. beside the plaques. president cited Mr. Kemp’s affinity for a re- ‘‘This man was an inspiration to us kids,’’ turn to the gold standard as further proof One graduate of St. Agnes, Gerald F. said Lawton, a Congers resident who was at Merna, is today the vice president of the that he’s an economic wacko. Should he the orphanage from age 6 through 13. ‘‘He is choose to pursue the issue, however, we have American Defense Preparedness Association, the major reason why most of the St. Agnes little doubt that’s an argument Messrs. Dole headquartered in Arlington, VA. Another is his kids lived decent lives.’’ and Kemp would win. brother James, a resident of Lanham, MD, f The gold standard has pretty good history, who now serves as chairman of public rela- after all. Alexander Hamilton placed Amer- tions for the St. Agnes Alumni Association. WELCOME TO AMBASSADOR ica on a gold standard as part of his effort to Jerry, James, and their four brothers all were JASON HU refinance the young country’s debt following raised at St. Agnes. Their eldest brother, the Revolution. The link with gold was bro- ken temporarily during the Civil War and in George, was killed at the age of 19 in a sea HON. DAVID FUNDERBURK the early 1930s, but it was soon reestablished battle during World War II. OF NORTH CAROLINA in both cases. And for good reason: The gold On August 24 of this year, the St. Agnes IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES standard proved a durable and politically po- Alumni Association conducted its 50th anniver- tent means of ensuring the value of the dol- Thursday, September 26, 1996 sary reunion. Seventy-five alumni of St. Agnes lar. from all across the Nation came to Rockland Mr. FUNDERBURK. Mr. Speaker, greetings After the remaining links to gold estab- County, in my congressional district, to pay and best wishes to the Republic of China's lished under the postwar Bretton Woods tribute to the sisters, and the sports coaches, Washington representative, Ambassador agreement were finally broken by Richard Nixon in the early 1970s, inflation soared. who molded them into outstanding citizens, Jason Hu. He comes to Washington from his The market price of gold itself vaulted from and to reminisce about their incredible experi- last post as the Republic of China's Director- $35 an ounce to $850 an ounce. It’s still sell- ences at St. Agnes. General of the Government Information Office. ing for more than $380 an ounce—more than The Speaker of the House generated a With his wide government experiences and a 10 times its price only 25 years ago. great deal of controversy last year regarding solid background in politics and commerce, If you wonder why the American middle his comments on orphanages. Here is an ex- Ambassador Hu will forge ever stronger links class is still feeling ‘‘anxious’’ about its liv- ample of an orphanage which filled a commu- between his country and ours. I heartily bid ing standards, you need look little further than at the massive expropriation of wealth nity need and became a beacon for thousands him welcome and look forward to working with and income that this represents. Little won- of youngsters. him and his colleagues. der it is so tough to wean people from such Mr. Speaker, I wish to insert into the CON- As I welcome Ambassador Hu to Washing- ‘‘middle-class entitlements’’ as Medicare, GRESSIONAL RECORD the newspaper article ton, I hope the Republic of China will be able Social Security benefits, day-care and col- dated August 25 which appeared in the Rock- to return to the United Nations and other inter- lege tuition subsidies.