February 2, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S299 Mr. Aca Singer, President of Federation of swift and sure. On September 17, 1991, teachers in eastern Washington in ad- Jewish Communities in Yugoslavia. the reborn nation became a member of dressing violent crime in their commu- Protestant the United Nations and is a signatory nity and making their school a safer Dr. Peter Kuzmic¸, President, Council of to a number of its organizations and place for all students. The Leadership Evangelical Churches in Croatia.∑ other international agreements. It also Class at Naches Valley High School has f is a member of the Organization for Se- done an excellent job at incorporating RESTORATION OF LITHUANIA’S curity and Cooperation in Europe, the creative solutions and programs to curb gang activity and encourage fel- INDEPENDENCE North Atlantic Cooperation Council and the Council of Europe. low students to do well in school. For ∑ Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, on Lithuania is an associate member of their efforts, I am presenting these stu- February 6 of this year, in the Divine the European Union, has applied for dents and their teacher, Mr. Sanford Providence Church, in Southfield, NATO membership and is currently ne- Jetton with my ‘‘Innovation in Edu- Michigan, several hundred Lithuanian gotiating for membership in the WTO, cation’’ award. Americans will gather to mark the OECD and other Western organiza- Naches Valley is a rural school dis- tenth anniversary of the restoration of tions. trict at the foot of the eastern side of Lithuania’s independence. Joined by The United States established diplo- the Cascade Mountains. For years, Lithuania’s ambassador to the United matic relations with Lithuania on July Naches Valley High School reflected States, His Excellency, Stasys 28, 1992. But our nation never really the small community values with little Sakalauskas, they will be celebrating broke with the government and people conflict between students. In 1996, it their nation’s original, modern inde- of Lithuania. The United States never discovered it was not immune from the pendence day, February 16, 1918, as well recognized the forcible incorporation of problems that are common-place in as the events of March 1, 1990, the date Lituania into the U.S.S.R., and views most large urban schools—gangs, on which Lithuania was finally and ir- the present Government of Lithuania drugs, depression, crime, to name a revocably released from the grip of So- as a legal continuation of the inter-war few. viet communism. republic. Indeed, for over fifty years When the high school had its first in- Michigan’s Lithuanian-American the United States maintained a bipar- cident of gang violence, students in the community also will celebrate the per- tisan consensus that our nation would Leadership class were both frightened severance and sacrifice of their people, refuse to recognize the forcible incor- and angry. While such a reaction would which enabled them to achieve the poration of Lithuania into the former be expected, their response was any- freedom they now enjoy. Soviet Union. thing but typical. Not only did the stu- I have reviewed the bare facts before: America’s relations with Lithuania dents confront the gang members, chal- On March 11, 1990, the newly elected continue to be strong, friendly and mu- lenging them to be positive contribu- Lithuanian Parliament, fulfilling its tually beneficial. Lithuania has en- tors to the school atmosphere, but they electoral mandate from the people of joyed Most-Favored-Nation (MFN) proactively worked with their prin- Lithuania, declared the restoration of treatment with the United States since cipal, their Leadership teacher Sanford Lithuania’s independence and the es- December, 1991. Through 1996, the Jetton, the Mayor, and the deputies tablishment of a democratic state. This United States has committed over $100 from the sheriff’s department to ad- marked a great moment for Lithuania million to Lithuania’s economic and dress the problem. The students helped write a town or- and for lovers of freedom around the political transformation and to address dinance which declared the local park globe. humanitarian needs. In 1994, the United to be part of the school grounds for an The people of Lithuania endured 51 States and Lithuania signed an agree- years of oppressive foreign occupation. hour before and an hour after school, ment of bilateral trade and intellectual or whenever that park is being used for Operating under cover of the infamous property protection, and in 1997 a bilat- Hitler-Stalin Pact of 1939, Soviet school activities. This allows for dis- eral investment treaty. ruptive students to be dealt with both troops marched into Lithuania, begin- In 1998 the United States and Lith- by law enforcement and the school’s ning an occupation characterized by uania signed The Baltic Charter Part- communist dictatorship and cultural own ‘‘zero tolerance’’ gang policy. nership. That charter recalls the his- As a result of this direct interven- genocide. tory of American relations with the Even in the face of this oppression, tion, most of the gang members relin- area and underscores our ‘‘real, pro- quished that affiliation and eventually the Lithuanian people were not de- found, and enduring’’ interest in the se- graduated from Naches. In addition, feated. They assisted their oppressors curity and independence of the three there have been no further incidences and kept their culture, their faith and Baltic states. As the Charter also of gang violence at Naches Valley High their dream of independence very much notes, our interest in a Europe whole School since 1996. alive even during the hardest times. and free will not be ensured until Esto- The Leadership class did not stop The people of Lithuania were even nia, Latvia, and Lithuania are secure. with the problem of gang violence. Its able to mobilize and sustain a non-vio- Mr. President, I commend the people members looked for innovative ways to lent movement for social and political of Lithuania for their courage and per- promote drug and violence prevention change, a movement which came to be severance in using peaceful means to through school and community service. known as Sajudis. This people’s move- regain their independence. I pledge to The list of student-initiated accom- ment helped guarantee a peaceful tran- work with my colleagues to continue plishments is quite impressive: sition to independence through full working to secure the freedom and The class established a Student Ac- participation in democratic elections independence of Lithuania and its Bal- countability Board (S.A.B.) which pro- on February 24, 1990. tic neighbors, and I join with the peo- vides alternative consequences for stu- Unfortunately, as is so often the ple of Lithuania as they celebrate their dents pulled over by the sheriff’s office case, peace and freedom had to be pur- independence.∑ for traffic violations. The S.A.B. has chased again and again. In January of f resulted in a 50 percent reduction in 1991, ten months after restoration of traffic citations. Seat belt use among RECOGNITION OF THE NACHES independence, the people and govern- students has also risen from 63 percent VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL LEADER- ment of Lithuania faced a bloody as- in 1997 to 93 percent in 1999. sault by foreign troops intent on over- SHIP CLASS Working with the University of throwing their democratic institutions. ∑ Mr. GORTON. Mr. President, as the Washington, the class prepared a sui- Lithuanians withstood this assault, Senate prepares to debate the Elemen- cide awareness program which has maintaining their independence and tary and Secondary Education Act in since spread to six other schools. their democracy. Their successful use the coming weeks, one of the topics we The class initiated a ‘‘Student Shar- of non-violent resistance to an oppres- will no doubt address is this issue of ing Solutions’’ program which teams sive regime is an inspiration to all. school safety. up schools throughout the Yakima Val- Lithuania’s integration into the I want to recognize the extraordinary ley for such events as a countrywide international community has been efforts of a group of students and graffiti paint-out.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 22:41 Dec 04, 2013 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00075 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\2000SENATE\S02FE0.REC S02FE0 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY S300 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE February 2, 2000 The class has also taken the lead in umphant season can be attributed to beyond the hours of 9 to 5, they showed such projects as replenishing local food the performance of several key players, us just how much can be accomplished banks and in raising money for a fellow including six players that were chosen when everyone works together for a NVHS student who was severely in- to start in the Pro Bowl. common goal and is committed to jured in a car crash and whose family Kurt Warner, stepping in as the doing more than his or her fair share. has no medical insurance. starter after Trent Green was injured We would be remiss if we overlooked These young leaders, and their teach- in an early preseason game, enjoyed another admirable quality of this fine er have been recognized in their com- one of the best years ever for an NFL organization, and that is the commit- munity at problem solvers and gen- quarterback, throwing for 4,353 yards, ment to the community. When the erous servants. In 1998, the Naches Val- 41 touchdowns and only 13 intercep- Rams relocated to St. Louis in 1995, the ley Leadership Class received the tions, a performance worthy of being team identified community involve- Greater Yakima Chamber of Commerce awarded the NFL’s Most Valuable ment as one of the top priorities. Since Service Award. Player and the Pro Bowl starting quar- that time, many charitable organiza- As the Senate prepares to take on terback. This remarkable individual, in tions have benefited from the time and the reauthorization of the Elementary just his second season in the NFL, was resources of these big-hearted athletes, and Secondary Education Act, I believe bagging groceries in Waterloo, Iowa, as various Rams players have dedicated we in Congress would do well to trust just five years ago. While setting pass- dollars for every touchdown, intercep- students and teachers, like Sanford ing and scoring records in the Arena tion, field goal, sack and more. Some Jetton and his Leadership class with Football League for 3 seasons and 1 examples of how these stars contribute more freedom and flexibility to create season in the NFL Europe, he never to the community include: 1. The defense live—donating $500 for these types of innovative programs. gave up his dream of playing in the every quarterback sack to a local That is why I have introduced my NFL. Last night, he helped to bring the homeless shelter. Straight A’s education bill to give par- dream of a Super Bowl championship 2. Wide receive Isaac Bruce—donating ents, teachers, principals, superintend- home to St. Louis. $500 for every touchdown to ents and school board members with Marshall Faulk, one of the league’s Edgewood’s Childhaven, an educational the flexibility to make the best deci- premier running backs, set an NFL center for children with learning dis- sions about how to educate our chil- record this season for combined rush- abilities. dren and provide measures to keep ing and receiving yards from the line of 3. Running back Marshall Faulk— states accountable for the results.∑ scrimmage in a single season with continuing the ‘‘Marshall Plan’’ that f 2,429, in addition to scoring 12 touch- began in Indianapolis by donating downs. He was also chosen to start in SUPER BOWL CHAMPION, ST. $2,000 for every touchdown that he the Pro Bowl. LOUIS RAMS scores to the Marshall Faulk Founda- All season long, the team benefited tion. ∑ Mr. FITZGERALD. Mr. President, it from a stellar group of talented receiv- 4. Quarterback Trent Green—donat- is with great pride that I rise today ers, led by Isaac Bruce, who will join ing $300 for every Rams passing touch- with my distinguished colleagues to his teammates in the Pro Bowl; Torry down to the Trent Green Family Foun- support the pending resolution and ex- Holt; Az-zahir Hakim; and Ricky dation. press my sincere congratulations to Proehl. Proehl, you may remember, 5. Safety Keith Syle—donating $500 the Super Bowl XXXIV Champion St. caught a clutch game-winning touch- for every interception to local literacy Louis Rams. In the aftermath of a down in the closing minutes of the programs. heart-stopping NFC division victory Rams’ win last week over the Tampa 6. Kicker Jeff Wilkins—donating $50 over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and an Bay Buccaneers, while Bruce made a for every field goal to Cardinal outstanding regular season record of 13 truly spectacular play in the fourth Glennon Children’s Hospital. wins and 3 losses, the St. Louis Rams quarter of the Super Bowl by catching 7. Tight end Roland Williams—donat- increased their intensity to win Super a 73 yard touchdown pass that sealed ing $86 for every catch to the Roland Bowl XXXIV, bringing home the most the championship. These stars helped Williams Youth Life Line Foundation priced possession in the National Foot- the Rams to establish early on that which supports children in Roland’s ball League, the Lombardi Trophy. In they were an offensive-minded team, hometown. an extraordinary effort and show of scoring a total of 526 points this sea- Most of these players have also been heart, the Rams countered the incred- son, the third-most in NFL history. successful in receiving matching com- ible second-half push by the Tennessee But as the saying goes, ‘‘Defense mitments from local businesses and in- Titans in a game that more than lived wins championships,’’ and the Rams dividuals, helping to foster a true sense up to its billing of ‘‘Super’’ and made proved this adage, by leading the NFL of community. In addition, each year, history on Sunday, January 30, 2000, by in rushing defense, and ranking sixth players make countless appearances at local schools, hospitals and youth cen- pulling out a thrilling victory by the in the league in overall defense. This ters to use their influence with chil- score of 23–16, becoming the Super season, the Rams’ defensive end, Kevin dren to stress the importance of edu- Bowl XXXIV Champions. Carter, led the league with 17 quarter- cation and making proper choices in This was Coach Dick Vermeil’s third back sacks and earned his first start in life. year as head coach of the Rams. Coach the Pro Bowl. After only 5 years in the The hard work and dedication of the Vermeil previously led the Philadel- league, this outstanding defender has Rams to their team and the people of phia Eagles to the Super Bowl in 1980, developed a well-documented work the St. Louis metropolitan area de- but had been away from coaching for ethic that has helped him achieve more serves our highest commendations. So, almost 15 years. The passionate 63- sacks over the past two seasons than on behalf of myself and the good people year-old coach showed he still had the anyone else in the league. of my state of Illinois, I congratulate stuff it takes to lead this team of stars We all know that to be champions re- Coach Dick Vermeil, Super Bowl Most to the championship. The fans of pro- quires a strong commitment to work Valuable Player Kurt Warner, Marshall fessional football have appropriately harder and be more disciplined than Faulk, Isaac Bruce, and the entire St. awarded Coach Vermeil by voting him the rest. The Rams’ Super Bowl win is Louis Rams team on an outstanding the Staples Coach of the Year, the only a credit to the extraordinary efforts by performance. NFL honor determined solely by a vote the entire Rams’ organization. After Coach Vermeil, players, and fans: of the fans. moving to St. Louis in 1995, the man- congratulations on a great season and The three-year path to glory began agement went to work in hiring excel- an outstanding victory.∑ slowly, with 9 wins and 23 losses over lent personnel and a committed coach- f the previous two seasons, including ing staff. This season, the organiza- just 4 victories last season, but the tion’s slogan was aptly and accurately CONGRATULATIONS TO THE ST. team turned it around this year. While versed: ‘‘Gotta go to work!’’ With the LOUIS RAMS the Rams were truly a team that whole organization working as one co- ∑ Mr. BOND. Mr. President, On Janu- played well together all year, this tri- hesive unit and regularly working well ary 30th, the St. Louis Rams faced the

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