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September 5, 2001 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS 16465 has been Miss Missouri Teen USA. On the offer Mr. Sparks my warmest regard and debts the many contributions of Al-Anon Family night of August 22nd, this wonderful young of gratitude. Groups to recovery in our nation. lady was crowned Miss Teen USA 2001. For f Al-Anon Family Groups has been a source Marissa, who lives in my district, this corona- of help and hope for families and friends of al- tion serves as a fitting accomplishment in a IN HONOR OF MR. TONY VENTO coholics for 50 years in communities through- journey full of dedication and sacrifice. out the United States and worldwide. ‘‘She’s always been a leader since she was HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH Alateen is a part of Al-Anon for the younger young’’ according to Marissa’s aunt, Karen OF OHIO family members. Both Al-Anon and Alateen McHaney. Mrs. McHaney should know as well IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES freely cooperate with professional and govern- as anyone. McHaney took three-year-old Wednesday, September 5, 2001 ment organizations in addressing family recov- Marissa in after Marissa’s mother passed Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ery. These are over 26,000 Al-Anon and away due to a cerebral hemorrhage. Marissa honor a truly wonderful humanitarian, Mr. Alateen groups around the world in 115 coun- and her family met the challenges of her loss. Tony Vento, on his retirement from the Inter- tries, and literature translated into 30 lan- She has worked hard to achieve her new title Religious Task Force on Central America. guages. of Miss Teen USA. Marissa volunteered at the Mr. Tony Vento, Coordinator of the Inter- America owes a debt of gratitude to Al-Anon Ronald McDonald House and a local Boys Religious Task Force on Central America, was and Alateen. and Girls Club while competing in and winning born and raised in Ft. Lauderdale but soon left Mr. Speaker, Congress should salute the Al- four pageant events. In addition to maintaining for Philadelphia to study Urban Studies with a Anon Family Groups for its continued service her rigorous schedule as Miss Missouri Teen focus in Community Development Planning to the family and friends of alcoholics in our USA, she was still prepared for college and and Architectural History. After his under- nation. As a grateful recovering alcoholic of scheduled to begin classes at St. Louis Uni- graduate work, Mr. Vento decided to accept a twenty years, I urge my colleagues to take this versity this fall until this most recent ‘‘detour.’’ position as campus minister of the University opportunity to affirm the remarkable efforts to Her perseverance and vision to seek out and of Pennsylvania and centered his work on the Al-Anon Family Groups. fulfill her dreams make Marissa an excellent peace, justice, and community service. role model not only for the young people of Mr. Vento’s theological career led him down f Missouri, but for youth across our country. many winding paths, including trips to Italy, HONORING DONAVAN CULLINGS Marissa’s home town is Springfield, Mis- Peru, and the University of Toronto’s St. Mi- UPON HIS RETIREMENT souri. She has been featured in local media chael’s College. His dedication to the fur- stories as she worked to represent young thering of democracy eventually brought him American women. Marissa’s hard work and to the InterReligious Task Force on Central HON. SCOTT McINNIS dedication are worth recognition and I’m con- America, where he was hired as the Director fident she will continue to use her position of OF COLORADO in the fall of 1992. The task force uses edu- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES leadership to set a positive example to young cation human rights work, and advocacy of people. I know my colleagues in the United peaceful policies to build bridges of hope and Wednesday, September 5, 2001 States Congress wish her well as she begins solidarity with the most consistently martyred Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to this part of her life’s journey. region in our hemisphere. take this opportunity to pay tribute to Donavan f Mr. Vento has been a true jewel for the Cullings for his many years of honorable serv- HONORING MR. FELIX SPARKS InterReligious Task Force on Central America, ice to the people of Creede, Colorado. and he will be greatly missed. His dedication Donavan has made the decision to retire from HON. SCOTT McINNIS and love for the people of Central America is his position as a municipal judge and will be extremely evident in the fine work he does. He remembered for his years of dedication and OF COLORADO will be soon joining Pax Christi USA to be time on the bench. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES their National Program Director. Mr. Cullings grew up in Los Angeles, Cali- Wednesday, September 5, 2001 Mr. Speaker, please join me in humbled rec- fornia until he was inducted into military serv- ognition and celebration of Mr. Tony Vento. Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ice immediately following high school. During He has, and will continue to, inspire many not take this opportunity to pay tribute to Retired World War II, he was involved in activities in only in his local community, but across the Brigadier General Felix Sparks, who proudly the South Pacific for three years, diligently globe. served our nation by leading a Colorado Na- serving his country. After returning home, tional Guard contingent into the European the- f Donavan married his high school sweetheart, ater during World War II. 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF AL-ANON Jan Elton, and later joined the Los Angeles General Felix Sparks has seen and experi- Police Department. He dedicated 26 years of enced the horrifying aspects of war that most HON. JIM RAMSTAD his life to law enforcement and then moved to of us cannot even imagine. Mr. Sparks has Creede where he bought the Creede Drug OF MINNESOTA lost close friends in battle and although sur- Store. rounded by death, his heroism shone through- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES The town of Creede eventually had a vacant out his service. Mr. Sparks was a member of Wednesday, September 5, 2001 Marshal position, and Donavan decided to fill the team of American soldiers who landed at Mr. RAMSTAD. Mr. Speaker, shortly before that role for eight years willingly. He also Anzio and later he joined in liberating the Da- the August District Work Period, this body served as the County Coroner for 15 years. chau concentration camp in 1945. passed H. Con. Res. 190, a resolution I of- Another calling attracted Donavan and he an- After serving his nation, Mr. Sparks moved fered commemorating September as National swered it by accepting the job of Town Mag- to Colorado and attended law school at the Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month. istrate for Creede, where he honorably served University of Colorado. After his education, The theme of Recovery Month this year is as a municipal judge for 15 years. Felix served as a District Attorney for a seven- ‘‘We Recover Together: Family, Friends and Mr. Speaker, Donavan Cullings has led a county judicial district in Colorado’s Western Community.’’ life to strengthen the fabric of the American Slope and also served as a Colorado Su- Nothing epitomizes this theme better than character whether it be in troubled waters preme Court Justice. Mr. Sparks is a first- the work of Al-Anon, which serves the family abroad or at home. His vigorous efforts de- class citizen who dedicated himself towards and friends of alcoholics. serve the praise and admiration of us all. As bettering Colorado both as a justice of the Tomorrow in the Russell Senate Caucus part of his retirement, Donavan will volunteer peace and as a commander of the Colorado Room, Al-Anon will sponsor a ‘‘Families in Re- two days a week at Creede Museum and edu- National Guard. covery’’ luncheon celebrating Recovery Month. cate others about Creede’s long-standing his- Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to pay tribute I urge my colleagues to attend this important tory. I would like to extend my warmest re- to a distinguished Colorado citizen-soldier, Re- event. gards to Donavan upon his retirement and tired Brigadier General Sparks. On behalf of This is also the occasion of Al-Anon’s 50th wish him and his family the best in many our nation and the great state of Colorado, I Anniversary. Congress should acknowledge years to come. 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