October 5, 1999 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS 24081 clubs and 200,000 members in 60 countries land Browns’ Dawg Pound. Nationally recog- communication efforts of General Paul, the worldwide. nized, Big Dawg’s passion for the Congress has become familiar with the details During the past 75 years, Toastmasters Browns has touched the spirit of football fans of important programs, which are essential to International has performed a valuable service everywhere. Members of Congress have even the mission of the Marine Corps, such as, the for its members and those who hear its mes- felt Big Dawg’s devotion when he testified be- V–22 Program, the Advanced Assault Amphib- sage of opportunity, initiative and good fellow- fore a House committee as the Browns fan ious Vehicle, the KC–130J, and the Maritime ship by assisting in the development of essen- who could best convey the trauma to fans Pre-positioned Force-Enhancement, among tial communications skills. One of the Toast- from the teams’ sudden move to Baltimore. others. General Paul has tirelessly endeav- masters’ most remarkable, yet challenging, ef- Driven by heartfelt emotion and determina- ored to inform Members and staff on issues forts has been the formation of clubs within tion, Big Dawg served further as a crucial ranging from the capabilities, technological ad- prisons to teach inmates how to effectively player in saving the team’s name and colors vances, concepts of operations, and funding communicate to others and accept criticism. I and in bringing the Browns back to Cleveland. requirements of necessary programs, to the am especially proud of the Sabine River Big Dawg’s big heart was never silenced basic needs of Marines in the field and of their Toastmasters in Orange, Texas. throughout the years Cleveland was deprived families on base. One year ago, the Sabine River of a team. Due in large part to his efforts, the Although, General Paul is well known for his Toastmsters formed a club in the LeBlanc are now back. in-depth knowledge of the legislative issues Prison, which is located in Jefferson County in Celebrated as one of football’s most famous and operational requirements of the Marine East Texas. This club has been responsible fans, Big Dawg was inducted this year into the Corps, he is also greatly respected as a dedi- for numerous success stories during the past Visa Hall of Fans at the Pro Football Hall of cated leader, who possesses a deep and year, and I am confident that the inmates of Fame in Canton, . Big Dawg’s role abiding passion for what it means to be a Ma- East Texas will continue to benefit from this evolved back in 1985 when he donned a dog rine. General Paul is, above all, a Marine of encouragement and assistance in the develop- mask after Browns players and unquestionable devotion to duty, impeccable ment of improved communication skills for Frank Minnifield coined the term Dawg Pound integrity, absolutely sound character, and dedi- many more years to come. to refer to the barking bleacher fans at the old cation to professionalism. Through his assign- The ability to speak in a clear and effective Cleveland Municipal Stadium. Soon thereafter, ments as a Senator Liaison, a Special Assist- manner is a powerful and important skill that the media discovered Big Dawg influencing ant to the Commandant, and, finally, as the can help all Americans overcome barriers to Browns backers everywhere to wear, not only Legislative Assistant to the Commandant, effective performance in virtually every en- orange and brown, but dog masks and dog General Paul has always effectively commu- deavor and line of work. With the guidance of collars. With a new meaning to Cleveland’s nicated the message of ‘‘making Marines and Toastmaster members, inmates are becoming home field advantage, the Dawg Pound be- winning battles.’’ Because of the efforts of better communicators with a greater sense of came an explosive force in leading the Browns General Paul, the United States Marines confidence, self-esteem and self-respect, and to victory. Corps is better equipped and more prepared they are therefore better prepared and quali- Not just a football fan, Big Dawg also serves to carry out its mission in these demanding fied for employment after being released from as a community leader and a devoted family times. prison. Not only are the inmates encouraging man. As a kid-friendly fellow, Big Dawg has As Chairman of the Committee on Armed and inspiring each other to become better citi- made numerous appearances at local schools Services, I have a special appreciation for the zens, but they are also taking active roles in and local events. He is also featured on the outstanding work that General Paul has done. the lives of our Nation’s youth by discouraging box of his new Big Dawg Crunch cereal. Big His involvement in briefings and hearings be- them from repeating the same mistakes they Dawg has even earmarked royalties from ce- fore the House, as well as in Congressional made by joining gangs or using drugs and al- real sales to go toward the American Diabetes Delegation travel to points around the world, cohol. Association and the Lomas Brown Jr. Founda- has ensured that these activities were carried According to the Federal Bureau of Prisons, tion. Congratulations to Big Dawg for his chari- out in an efficient and instructive manner. 35 to 40 percent of all released prisoners are table services, his devotion to his family, and General Paul has set a high standard for oth- re-arrested within the first 12 months of re- for being the Cleveland Browns’ number one ers to emulate. His total devotion to the Corps lease. Of the LeBlanc Toastmasters’ 55 re- fan. Keep the tradition alive! is evident in every action that he has taken, leased alumni, 2 have been re-arrested, which My fellow colleagues, join me in honoring and he is to be commended on his more than is one tenth of what the statistics would have John Big Dawg Thompson. thirty years of exemplary service to our Nation. predicted. I would like to applaud the Sabine f I would like to wish General Paul and his love- River Toastmasters for helping these 53 men ly wife, Sharon, much continued success in who have built new lives for themselves after TRIBUTE TO BRIGADIER GENERAL their future endeavors. being released from prison. TERRY LEE PAUL, UNITED f Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask that you join STATES MARINE CORPS me and our colleagues in celebrating the week HONORING LARRY PISTORESI of October 17, 1999, as Toastmasters Week HON. FLOYD SPENCE and recognizing the many opportunities in OF SOUTH CAROLINA HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH communication and public speaking that IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF CALIFORNIA Toastmasters International, and specifically Tuesday, October 5, 1999 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES the Sabine River Toastmasters, have pro- Tuesday, October 5, 1999 moted and realized for East Texans and Mr. SPENCE. Mr. Speaker, it is with pleas- Americans all across the nation. ure that I rise to recognize Brigadier General Mr. RADANOVICH, Mr. Speaker, I rise f Terry Lee Paul, the Legislative Assistant to the today to honor Larry Pistoresi, Sr. for 50 years Commandant of the United States Marine of perfect attendance at the Chowchilla Rotary IN HONOR OF JOHN BIG DAWG Corps. General Paul retired from active duty Club. THOMPSON on Friday, October 1st, after 30 years of ex- Larry Pistoresi, Sr. has been a member of ceptional service in the Corps. the Chowchilla Rotary Club since the day it HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH For the last 10 years, General Paul has was chartered in 1946. Pistoresi is an active OF OHIO been in charge of the Marine Corps Office of auto retail salesman, but has been able to IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Legislative Affairs. During this time, many keep perfect attendance for 50 years. Perfect Members of Congress and staff have come to attendance did not mean that you had to at- Tuesday, October 5, 1999 know General Paul as a very reliable and ar- tend all the local Rotary meetings. It you had Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ticulate spokesman for the Corps. His straight- to miss a local meeting, you could make that honor John Big Dawg Thompson. forward approach and extensive knowledge of meeting up at another Rotary club in a dif- John Big Dawg Thompson, legendary policy and programs has especially been of ferent town. Through the years, Larry Pistoresi Cleveland Browns superfan, is the heart and great benefit to those of us on the Armed has attended Rotary meetings in 20 different soul of the Cleveland Browns and the Cleve- Services Committee. Through the effective states. In fact, planning a vacation for the

VerDate jul 14 2003 14:02 May 28, 2004 Jkt 069102 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 0689 Sfmt 9920 E:\BR99\E05OC9.000 E05OC9 24082 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS October 5, 1999 Pistoresi’s was quite an ordeal. Vacations tion and with the input of both the public and CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 1906, were planned around Rotary meetings. Larry air tour operators, to prepare air tour flight AGRICULTURE, RURAL DE- would get the Rotary director out to see where management plans at each national park. Air VELOPMENT, FOOD AND DRUG and when the Rotary meetings were to be tours would be prohibited unless the operators ADMINISTRATION, AND RELATED held. comply with the park’s air tour overflight man- AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS Pistoresi also has a family history of perfect agement plan. To insure that the plans are fair ACT, 2000 attendance in the Rotary. His dad, Pete and comprehensive, the bill also calls for a Pistoresi, a charter member of the Chowchilla study of the effects overflights have on park SPEECH OF Rotary Club, also received the perfect attend- visitors on the ground. ance award. Pistoresi said when he first Our National Parks should be enjoyed by HON. DEBBIE STABENOW joined, his dad kept after him to have perfect all. For many, noise pollution ruins the Na- OF MICHIGAN attendance. After the first two years of perfect tional Park experience just as spare tires and IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES attendance he was challenged to keep on empty soda cans littered beneath the trees Friday, October 1, 1999 going. The father and son team are the only would. I support cleaning up the noise at Na- tow in the local club to receive the award. The tional Parks and urge immediate passage of Ms. STABENOW. Mr. Speaker, I rise today former president of the Chowchilla club said H.R. 717, the National Parks Air Tour Man- to express my extreme disappointment in the his goal is to keep his perfect attendance to agement Act of 1999. process that led to the consideration of the the day he is forced to quit. Conference Report for H.R. 1906 in the House Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to honor f of Representatives today. While I intend to Larry Pistoresi for his perfect attendance at vote for this legislation, the leadership in the the Chowchilla Rotary Club. I urge my col- NATIONAL COOPERATIVE MONTH House has chosen to ignore the wishes of this leagues to join me in wishing Larry many body on two counts. more years of continued success. f HON. IKE SKELTON First, we selected conferees, knowledgeable Members who have proven themselves in this OF MISSOURI NATIONAL PARKS AIR TOUR process, who should have been allowed to MANAGEMENT ACT OF 1999 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES represent the House during the conference on Tuesday, October 5, 1999 H.R. 1906. In the end, however, the conferees SPEECH OF were shut out of the process and the final HON. PATSY T. MINK Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, October 1999 version of the conference report was devel- has been designated as National Cooperative oped by House leadership, behind closed OF HAWAII Month. I rise today to call attention to the IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES doors. thousands of cooperatives in the United States Monday, September 27, 1999 Second, this House voted just last week, by and to the thousands of Americans who ben- an overwhelming majority, to mandate the Op- Mrs. MINK of Hawaii. Mr. Speaker, I rise to efit from membership in a co-op. tion 1A pricing scheme for dairy. H.R. 1402, express my support for H.R. 717, the National Some 40 percent of all Americans belong to the bill that I strongly supported and was Parks Air Tour Management Act of 1999. a cooperative of one kind or another. Co- proud to cosponsor, passed this House on Although this bill does not go as far as I operatives bring people together to meet a September 22, 1999, by a vote of 285 to 140. would like, particularly with respect to over- common goal or need. There are cooperatives While many other elements of the farm crisis flights in National Parks in Hawaii, H.R. 717 is to provide electricity and telephone service to were addressed in the conference report, and a step in the right direction. rural areas, cooperatives to help farmers mar- For years I have received complaints fom I am pleased that over $8 billion has been di- ket their goods, consumer cooperatives, and rected for disaster assistance, why was the people who visit National Parks in Hawaii credit union cooperatives, to name but a few. seeking to appreciate its serenity and ambi- dairy crisis ignored? Why wasn’t the issue of In Missouri, electric co-ops serve approxi- ance only to be agitated by the pesky and dairy even allowed to be brought to the table mately 450,000 meters, representing over noisy buzzing of aircraft overhead. In re- during conference negotiations? I am dis- 1,380,000 people. Nearly 20 small, rural tele- sponse, I introduced legislation, H.R. 482, to appointed that H.R. 1402 is not included in the communications providers have received fi- limit the adverse impacts of commercial air conference report. Our dairy farmers deserve nancing from a cooperative to ensure that all tour operations on National Parks in the State more. rural Missourians have access to reliable tele- of Hawaii. My bill establishes specific guide- Mr. Speaker, despite these problems, I am phone and other telecommunications services lines, setting minimum altitudes and standoff pleased to announce that several special at an affordable price. There are also more distances, for National Parks in Hawaii. I be- grants that are critical for Michigan agriculture than 1 million credit union cooperative mem- lieve certain parks must be declared flight- will be funded again this year at their Fiscal bers in Missouri. free, spared from intrusive noise, and main- Year 1999 levels. The following grants, many tained as calm refuges for the enjoyment of Cooperatives allow people to band together of which are executed at the world-class land all. and through the strength of numbers achieve grant institution in my district, Michigan State I strongly encourage all of my colleagues to what individuals could not accomplish alone. University, have been funded at their Fiscal cosponsor my bill, H.R. 482, and establish Members gain access to specific services, to Year 1999 levels: Improved Fruit Practices, certain flight-free zones over National Parks in marketing power, or to purchasing power. Un- Wood Utilization, Potato Research, Apple Hawaii so that we may all enjoy the whole ex- like other businesses, cooperatives operate at Fireblight, and Sustainable Agriculture. Over- perience of visiting a National Park. cost and income that is not retained for coop- all, the positive provisions included in the con- In the meantime, H.R. 717 will make several erative operations is returned to the members. ference report allow me to support it, but the improvements upon the current situation of In recognition of National Cooperative process that brought us to this point has been overflights in National Parks. Month, I congratulate our nations’ coopera- deeply flawed and I am very disappointed that H.R. 717 requires the National Park Service tives for their continued service to members in the House has not included H.R. 1402 in this to work with the Federal Aviation Administra- Missouri and throughout the nation. legislation.

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