E1018 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks June 4, 1998 The championship game was won 2 to 1 by Ridgewood, New Jersey, on receiving the U.S. one of the top 10 schools in New Jersey and the Commandos under the leadership of Head Department of Education's prestigious Blue was recognized for its reality-based curricu- Coach Russ Plummer and Assistant Coach Ribbon Schools Award. lum. In the past four years, the school has re- Darren Frank. Goals were made by seniors This award recognizes that Benjamin Frank- ceived nine Best Practices Awards from the Jeff Cundiff and Dylan Brown. Other team lin Middle School is one of the finest schools state Department of Education, recognizing its members include seniors Ryan Brody, David in our entire nation. This proves that public courses in citizenship (twice), career edu- Kopko, Ryan McComas, Leif Sherry, Clark education works and that our young people in cation, English (twice), art, special education, Hastings, Ian Cummings, and Ben Meyer; jun- Bergen County are among the best and bright- foreign language and physical education. No iors Danny O'Keefe, Doug Ziegler, and Mi- est. This accomplishment is the result of hard other school in New Jersey has received that chael Rose; and sophomores Joe Carmack, work on the part of students, their parents, many awards during the four-year history of Ryan Alexander, Travis Pulley, Jeremy Willis, teachers and the Board of Education. Special the Best Practices program. Hank Stanfill, Andy Duensing, Corey DeGuira, congratulations go to Principal Paul Folkemer, Benjamin Franklin students are well pre- and Zach Glaser. I congratulate these players and Superintendent of Schools Frederick J. pared by their teachers, parents and role mod- and others who have made significant con- Stokley. As a former teacher and school board els in the community. They can rest assured tributions to their success, including Hender- member, I am proud of everyone associated they will be able to handle whatever chal- sonville High School Principal Paul Decker, with this accomplishment. lenges they choose in life. Once again, con- Athletic Trainer Robb Williams, Athletic Direc- Of the thousands of middle schools and gratulations to everyone involved in this im- tor Charlie Lewis, and Team Managers Kathy high schools across the United States, only pressive achievement. Calderala and Megan McMullen. 166 this year were found to be outstanding However, the greatest honor goes to the enough to receive this high honor. Recipients f parents who, I am sure, are very proud of their of the Blue Ribbon Schools Award have been sons' accomplishments. I give my highest con- judged particularly effective at meeting local, SPEAKER GINGRICH ADDRESSES gratulations to these young men on their great state and national goals. The award is pre- ISRAEL’S PARLIAMENT achievement. I am certain the Hendersonville sented to schools that have shown strong community is very proud of these young men leadership, a clear vision and sense of mis- HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN sion, high quality teaching, challenging curricu- for their hard work and dedication. OF NEW YORK f lum, a safe environment for learning, solid evi- dence of family involvement, evidence that the IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN HONOR OF COLONEL DAVID school helps all students achieve high stand- Thursday, June 4, 1998 (MICKEY) MARKUS ards, and a commitment to share best prac- Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I want to take tices with other schools. These schools clearly this opportunity to share with our colleagues HON. CHARLES E. SCHUMER display the quality of excellence necessary to the address the Speaker delivered at Israel's OF NEW YORK prepare our young people for the challenges parliament during our visit last week in com- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES of the next century. memoration of Israel's jubilee anniversary. The With 600 students, Benjamin Franklin has Speaker's appearance at the Knesset podium Thursday, June 4, 1998 served students in the sixth, seventh and was the first by any Speaker of the House of Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. Speaker, I stand here eighth grades as a middle school since 1985, Representatives. Such a historic event reaf- today to honor the memory of a truly excep- when it reorganized from a junior high serving firms and underscores the bonds of friendship tional citizen on the 50th anniversary of his seventh, eighth and ninth grades. The mission and cooperation between the United States tragic death. of the school is to ``help children grow up''Ð and Israel, and especially between Israel and Colonel David (Mickey) Markus was a hero. intellectually, emotionally, socially and phys- the Congress of the United States. Accord- Brooklyn born and bred, Colonel Marcus grad- icallyÐand its organization, instructional pro- ingly, while many of our colleagues were privi- uated from West Point in 1924 before return- gram and support system are focused on that leged to hear the Speaker deliver these mov- ing to Brooklyn to attend Brooklyn Law goal. The school is divided into two ``houses,'' ing remarks, I am certain that the remainder of School. After graduation, Colonel Marcus each with an administrator, guidance coun- our colleagues would appreciate having the served our country as an Assistant United selor, learning disabilities consultant and 12 opportunity to review these remarks as well. States Attorney and then as an officer in the teachers divided into three teams of four each. This congressional visit to IsraelÐto cele- Army during World War II. Each team meets daily to discuss curriculum, brate the miraculous rebirth of the modern In 1948, Colonel Markus travelled to the review individual student progress and coordi- State of IsraelÐwas the largest visit of Mem- Middle East to fight for the creation of a Jew- nate activities. ish state in the War of Independence. While The school's curriculum is comprehensive bers of the House and Senate to Israel in its serving as an officer in the Israeli army, Colo- and challenging. All sixth-grade students are fifty-year history. Under the Speaker's leader- nel Markus was killed in battle. required to take classes in English, math, ship, Members participated in valuable meet- Even though he was serving in a foreign science, social studies, a foreign language, ings with Prime Minister Netanyahu, and with army, Colonel Markus was buried at West physical education, art, technology, health and Speaker Dan Tichon, with colleagues of ours Point under special permission by President music. Seventh- and eighth-graders take in the Knesset. In what was a precedent-set- Truman. His contribution to the fight for an courses in the same categories plus a selec- ting meeting, it was agreed that a US-Israel independent Israel were recognized by Prime tion of electives. The focus of the curriculum parliamentary group would be established, Minister Ben Curion, who issued a special is on mastery of the language, problem solv- with the first bilateral focus to be on missile statement in his honor. Colonel Marcus's gave ing, creativity, critical thinking and basic skill defense systems. is honored with pebbles left by visitors in the development. We were also privileged to spend several Jewish tradition. Modern technology is a part of all courses. hours with Minister of National Infrastructure Colonel Marcus made our neighborhood The school has a three-room technology cen- Ariel Sharon, who took us to two settlements and our country proud. We recognize his ter, a television studio, an automated informa- across the green line in the West Bank. At achievements on this solemn day and honor tion retrieval system, and televisions, tele- one site, known as Paduel, we saw across the his memory. phones and computers in every classroom. entire coastal plain to Ben Gurion airport and f Students word process all English assign- the skyline of Tel Aviv. It was clear that ments. Israel's security concerns are deep and real. CONGRATULATING BENJAMIN Since 1990, Benjamin Franklin has empha- In his remarks to the Knesset, Speaker FRANKLIN MIDDLE SCHOOL sized a ``reality-based'' curriculum that links GINGRICH eloquently relayed the affection and academic topics to real-life situations. Stu- respect we have for the people and State of HON. MARGE ROUKEMA dents have explored how race relations played Israel. It was a memorable and historic day for OF NEW JERSEY a role in the Yankees' decision to stay in the the Knesset, the Congress of the United IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Bronx, the arson of African-American churches States, and for the citizens our two great and the World War II Holocaust. democratic institutions represent. Thursday, June 4, 1998 The excellence of Benjamin Franklin's aca- Accordingly, I submit the Speaker's speech Mrs. ROUKEMA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to con- demic program has been repeatedly recog- for the Knesset to be printed in the CONGRES- gratulate Benjamin Franklin Middle School in nized. In 1996, the school was selected as SIONAL RECORD. June 4, 1998 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1019

REMARKS BY U.S. HOUSE SPEAKER NEWT We remember the commitment of the early While the peace process is designed to pro- GINGRICH TO THE ISRAELI KNESSET, JERUSA- Zionists who convened the first Zionist Con- vide security within Israel and on her bor- LEM, ISRAEL, TUESDAY, MAY 26, 1998 gress a century ago, lived through the horror ders, perhaps the greatest threat is beyond Speaker Dan Tichon and Mrs. Tichon; min- of the Holocaust, and finally, witnessed the the peace process. Israel and the United isters and deputy ministers of the govern- birth of a Jewish homeland in Eretz Yisrael. States now face a growing threat beyond the ment of Israel; members of the Knesset, We remember the story of the last 50 years, horizon: weapons of mass destruction in the former Knesset Speaker Shlomo Hillel; of a state that has survived wars and count- hands of outlaw dictatorships. former members of the Knesset; my congres- less acts of terrorism to maintain its place Through our victory in the Cold War, the sional colleagues; distinguished guests and among the nations. We remember with you United States and its allies defeated Soviet friends—and as I look out, I see friends, because we believe that the anniversary of communism. In the subsequent years, how- many of whom go back for many years—it is Israel’s rebirth is not just a celebration for ever, rogue regimes in countries like Iraq, a great honor to stand before you today in Israel alone, it is a celebration for all who Iran, North Korea and Libya emerged from the Knesset, the one truly democratic par- are inspired by the faith that was born in the shadows of the vanishing Soviet empire. liament in the entire Middle East. For 50 this land. It is a celebration for all who see In the hands of these dictatorships, weapons years, the Knesset has led a nation that has in Israel an outpost in the struggle for free- of mass destruction and the means to deliver gathered in people from over a hundred dom across the globe. And it is a celebration them have become a dangerous threat to for all who see in the fundamental relation- lands, survived the perils of many wars, and Israel, to the United States and to our allies. ship between our two countries a remarkable built a thriving nation out of the desert. Like few others on the planet, Israelis know history and a great hope. As we celebrate the remarkable achieve- the real palpable threat from dictatorships For we are here to celebrate more than the that are methodically developing these ments of the last 50 years, let me simply say: first 50 years. In a sense, we’re here to cele- kol hah-kavod—all honor to you. Democratic weapons and delivery technologies. brate the first 3,000 years. And we’re not just In 1991, 28 Iraqi Scud missiles rained down leader Dick Gephardt and I have joined with here to look ahead with you to the next 50 on Israel, inflicting causalities and portend- the largest bipartisan gathering of congress- years; we dream of how we and our children ing Israel’s vulnerability. We too know the men and senators ever to visit Jerusalem. can build a future that holds more than the consequences of these weapons. Thirty-eight We are here to celebrate the 50th anniver- hope for mere survival, a future that can young Americans were killed when an Iraqi sary of Israel’s rebirth as a modern state. We lead to a lasting prosperity, an enduring Scud struck their barracks in Dhahran. De- commemorate 50 years of a close and cooper- peace, and a truly free land. Such a future, spite the partial effectiveness of Patriot mis- ative relationship between our two countries one marked by peace, prosperity and free- siles, at times our only defense was the inac- and our two peoples. dom, must be built upon an unending com- curacy of the Scuds themselves. In our re- In a sense, however, we are not only cele- mitment to security for those who seek view of the Gulf War, we discovered that not brating the last 50 years. The American and peace. one Scud or Scud launcher was confirmed as Israeli people are bound together by 3,000 One of our greatest presidents, Ronald destroyed on the ground in Iraq, despite a years of a shared and ancient tradition. We Reagan, had a simple strategy to expand great effort to do so. are bound together by a common spiritual freedom across the globe. It came down to Since 1991, rogue dictatorships have relent- experience. three words: peace through strength. He lessly worked to improve both their weapons It is a bond that is felt most powerfully knew that strength was the key to security of mass destruction and their delivery sys- here, in this city. As we overlook Jerusalem and that security was essential to peace. He tems. Nevertheless, in some quarters, there and look at the sights that touched the lives knew that a lasting peace required a durable is a breathtaking avoidance of what these of Abraham, David, and Christ, we under- security. facts imply. If dictatorships work while de- stand the depth of a relationship that is far This truth was reinforced for me in a per- mocracies talk, a catastrophe will become more than shared geopolitical interests. We sonal and powerful way during this trip to inevitable. For democracies to survive and are bound together morally. Our two coun- Israel. On Sunday, we visited the Weizman dictatorships to fail, we must establish a vi- tries are committed to freedom, democracy, Institute, where we met with some of your sion of a secure democracy, and we must im- the rule of law, and individual rights. We’re most talented scientists to learn about the plement three parallel strategies to achieve bound together by pure friendship. technological breakthroughs that will shape that vision. It has been a privilege for me to return to our mutual future. As we were leaving, I Our success must be built on the strategies Israel and spend time with your leaders, spoke to Manuela Deviri, whose son Yoni of containment, defense and replacement. some of whom I’ve known for almost 20 was killed in Lebanon on February 26th of First, we must put unrelenting pressure on years. For Marianne, it has been a chance to this year. A 20-year-old staff sergeant from anyone assisting these outlaw dictatorships see friends she worked with on the Israel free Kfar Saba, he served in an intelligence unit with their weapons programs. We cannot trade zone issue. and died when a mortar round struck his po- have normal relations with governments’ ei- A member of our delegation, Congressman sition. Manuela had, in Abraham Lincoln’s ther tolerating or encouraging assistance to Tom Lantos, a survivor of the Holocaust, words, laid the most costly sacrifice on the these dictatorships, whether the govern- first visited Israel in 1956. And this is his altar of freedom. She had lost her son. She ments are active participants or acquiescent 57th trip to visit Israel. still has another son and a daughter and a partners. Two key chairmen in our delegation, Bob granddaughter. Yet she said to me unequivo- Due to Russian assistance, Iran will re- Livingston and Ben Gilman, have coupled cally that she did not believe peace could portedly be able to manufacture its own me- their leadership in Congress with a deep un- come without security. And this was her for- dium-range ballistic missiles by the end of derstanding and love for the land and people mula: ‘‘You should not need two words,’’ she this year capable of striking Israel and parts of Israel. said. ‘‘Peace has within it the word secu- of Europe. Russia has also assisted Iraq with Another member, Congressman Henry rity.’’ When you say peace, it must include its own weapons program. It is time for our Waxman, returns to Israel often to visit his security, or it has not meaning. While this patience with the Russian government to daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren, who tragedy has deprived Manuela of Yoni, I come to an end. It should be clearly commu- live here. know the deepest hope that she has for her nicated that Russia’s relationship with the The ties that bind America to Israel are granddaughter, Gali, is a future of peace, United States and Israel, and other nations greater than the economic and security in- freedom and security. We join Manuela of the West, will suffer if its actions do not terests that our nations share. We are two Deviri and the rest of the Israeli people in match its commitments. The same message nations grown from a common source, both their aspirations for peace. No one can un- should be expressed to others, including forged by the courage and imagination of derstand the depth of that aspiration unless China, who assist these countries in their pioneers and both expressing in our founding they have lived so long without peace. And nuclear, chemical, biological and missile documents our ultimate reliance on divine no one can hope to achieve true peace unless programs. We have a range of policy instru- providence. it is always coupled with true security. ments at our disposal, including diplomatic As we celebrate with you, we remember to- The peace process must ensure that Israel and economic levers, and we should be pre- gether the courage of David, who established will retain the ability its own citizens from pared to use them. Jerusalem 3,000 years ago as the political terrorism. It must ensure that Israel main- The United States must make clear that and spiritual capital of the Jewish people. tains secure borders with its neighbors. stopping Iraq and Iran from acquiring weap- We commemorated that event the last time Without establishing those realities, it can- ons of mass destruction is its most intense Marianne and I saw Prime Minister Rabin not succeed. goal. And we should organize our allies to alive, at an event in our Capitol, in the Ro- For this reason, we support the Clinton ad- jointly prevent these dictatorships from ac- tunda, to celebrate the 3,000th anniversary of ministration when it says that Israel alone quiring weapons of terror. Jerusalem. Prime Minister Rabin spoke with must determine its security needs. We can- Second, we cannot rely solely on contain- deep emotion of his own ties to Jerusalem, not allow non-Israelis to substitute their ment to protect us from rogue dictatorships’ the city where he was born and the city he judgment for the generals the Israel has developing these capabilities. As these coun- fought to defend throughout his life. We in trusted with its security. If Israel is to take tries develop more and more accurate guid- Congress stood with him then and stand with risks for peace, as she has often done in the ance systems for their missiles with increas- you today in recognizing Jerusalem as the past, it must be risks she accepts, not risks ingly virulent biological and chemical war- united and eternal capital of Israel. that are imposed upon her. heads, it will become even more urgent to E1020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks June 4, 1998 develop effective defenses against these sys- ways been a central security concern in this gress and the Knesset, will not be unique. As tems. In the United States today, we do not land. Hezekiah enhanced Jerusalem’s secu- democracy spreads across the region, as it have the military capability to stop even one rity dramatically when he protected the inevitably will, we should work together to theater or intercontinental ballistic missile Gihon spring, his water source, by extending broaden the interaction with other demo- from reaching its target. the walls of the city. Today, water is an cratic parliaments. Our senior military officers would be re- equally critical security concern, with the As we celebrate Israel’s 50th anniversary, duced to scanning the horizon like the rest future of aquifers like the Yarkon as a prin- we honor those both American and Israeli of us, watching for the missile that could de- cipal issue in the peace process. whose commitment to security and freedom stroy our city, our family, our home. We are Right now, the United States gives incre- ensured Israel’s survival. Today, we must totally vulnerable. But we are told that a 25- mental assistance to manage the problem. It draw inspiration from their example. And let year-old treaty with a non-existent entity, has provided hundreds of millions of dollars me just close by sharing with you. We’ve had the Soviet Union, prevents us from respond- to the Palestinians, primarily to tap new a wonderful several days. We just had a ing to this danger. sources of water and manage the existing meeting with your Foreign and Defense Com- Israel, not bounded by an outmoded ones. In addition, it has assisted other coun- mittee that was very direct and very candid dogma, is taking steps to develop missile de- tries in the region by providing them with on both sides, not quite up to the Knesset fense and we are assisting in those efforts. Israeli expertise on things like drip irriga- standard of bluntness, but we’re trying to We have joined the Israeli government in the tion and water recycling. learn. I just want to share with you, for one Arrow ballistic missile defense initiative to Each of these efforts does assist countries brief moment, the magic that you represent. protect your citizens from the very real that have a large and growing water deficit. One hundred years ago, this was Ottoman threat. The Arrow program is a tribute to They ultimately have a marginal impact, Turkish land. Russia was czarist. Germany the ingenuity and determination of the peo- however. Our challenge for the next 50 years was imperial. China had not yet had the rev- ple of Israel to forge an effective defense for is to find the strategic solution to the short- olution that ended the Confucian domina- your homeland. The United States must ag- age of water in the region. We must do more tion, and the Manchu Dynasty was still gressively develop both theater and global than manage an ever-scarcer resource. We there. Japan was imperial in every sense, missile defenses to complement and rein- must support the scientific and engineering and democracy was a strange idea in only a force the protection Arrow will provide here advances that will erase the shortage of few countries. in Israel. water forever. Israel, the country that One hundred years later, we are gaining. Containment and defense provide interim caused the desert to bloom, must lead this It’s painful. It costs lives. We make big mis- security, but they cannot, by themselves, effort. From the cisterns of Masada to the takes. If you go to Yad Vashem you’re re- guarantee success. As long as individual dic- drip irrigation of today, Israel has learned minded with heart-rendering clarity of the tators or regimes based on hatred work to how to preserve a scarce resource. Today it cost of being wrong. develop terror weapons, all democratic soci- is the world’s leader on those questions. And yet in America, in Israel, in Europe, in eties will be threatened with catastrophe. A In the future, Israel should become the more and more of Asia, in Russia, day by single nuclear, chemical or biological device world leader on expanding the supply of day, this thing that we jointly represent— in one of our great cities would create a water. It has both the regional need and the elect people to speak for you, put them in tragedy of unthinkable proportions. human capital to lower the cost of desalin- one room, and make them fight it out—this Our third strategy must be to preempt ca- ization and end the shortage of water for the thing is slowly spreading across the planet. tastrophe by insisting that dictatorships be region. replaced with democracies. Clearly, the free The United States has already invested in I am convinced from our trip here that world has the capacity to liberate the people sharing Israeli expertise with the region, Israeli democracy’s never been more vibrant. of Iraq; clearly, the free world has the re- learning to manage a scarce resource. For It’s never had a greater range of potential sources to encourage the people of Iran to the future, leadership demands that we do leaders pushing, shoving, arguing. it’s never complete the process of change which hope- more than simply manage the current op- wrestled more passionately with the future fully began with the election of President tions. We, the United States, must invest of Israel and its relation with its neighbors. Khatami. We need the will, the courage and with Israel to overwhelm the shortage of And as an American, I can tell you how the determination to work together to re- water with research that will provide fresh much we gained from these days, how place dictatorships seeking weapons of terror water from an abundant source, the oceans stronger we will be going home, how much with democracies seeking friendship and eco- that cover most of our planet. more grateful we are that you here, in the nomic prosperity. Our joint efforts for the future are built on city of David, continue to stand for freedom, This vision of democratic success and the the close relationship between our two coun- and how much we want to reach out to work failure of dictatorships will require the same tries. This relationship has been fostered in with each and every one of you to make sure level of courage and commitment that in a sustained way by the United States Con- that 50 years and 3,000 years from now free- World War II defeated Nazi Germany, fascist gress. The strong personal bond that mem- dom exists in this land. Italy, and imperial Japan. It will require the bers of Congress feel toward Israel has led to Thank you for allowing us to visit. unrelenting persistence that for 45 years me- consistent support of the state, reaching thodically contained, defended against, and back to congressional resolutions as early as f in concert with the Russian and other cap- 1922 that supported a Jewish homeland in tive peoples, ultimately replaced a com- Palestine. TENTH ANNUAL ASBURY PARK munist dictatorship with fledgling democ- Congress approved its first package of aid CAROUSEL AWARDS racies. Those democracies, while still strug- to Israel, $65 million, in 1951. Congress gling, have advanced freedom dramatically pressed to maintain Israel’s qualitative mili- from the police state they replaced. tary edge. It provided emergency military HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR. Free peoples who face down and defeated assistance during the Gulf War. Congress ap- OF NEW JERSEY these dangers, should see today’s dangerous proved $10 billion in housing-loan guarantees IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES but fragile dictatorships for what they are— in order to absorb the flood of Jewish refu- our opportunities to expand freedom. Sus- gees from the former Soviet Union and Ethi- Thursday, June 4, 1998 taining security and establishing freedom opia. It is Congress that enacted legislation will lead not only to peace but also to eco- in 1995 that requires our government to move Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, this evening, nomic prosperity. If we achieve peace its embassy to Jerusalem, finally recogniz- Thursday, June 4th, the Greater Asbury Park, through security in this region, the econo- ing the fact that Jerusalem has been Israel’s NJ, Chamber of Commerce, will present its mies will flourish. They will flourish first be- capital for the last 50 years. Tenth Carousel Awards Dinner at Christie's cause open borders and free trade produce As speaker of the United States House, I Restaurant in Wanamassa, NJ. It is a great wealth. No one should know this better than want to initiate a far more direct relation- honor for me to pay tribute to this year's re- the Palestinians. When acts of terror force ship between the Knesset and the Congress. cipients. Today, Speaker Tichon and I are inaugurat- Israel to seal its border, it is the Palestin- The Carousel Awards express the recogni- ians who suffer most. They lose access to the ing a new U.S.-Israel interparliamentary ini- strong Israeli economy, and 100,000 Palestin- tiative on strategic cooperation to be pur- tion and appreciation of a grateful community ians are cut off from their jobs. When re- sued by members from the U.S. Congress and to individuals and organizations who have gional tension chokes off commerce, it is the Knesset. This effort was conceived by contributed in many ways to the revitalization Israel’s neighbors who suffer most. Open bor- Chairman Uzi Landau of the Knesset’s For- of Asbury Park, making this great American ders and free trade allow others to share in eign and Defense Affairs Committee and Sen- city a better place to live and work. The recipi- Israel’s economic growth. ator JOHN KYL of the U.S. Congress. The ini- ents of the 1998 awards are: In addition, the region’s economies will tiative will focus on security issues, particu- flourish as broad cooperation solves the most larly the crucial question of missile defense. New Jersey Natural Gas Company, Spirit of pressing problems of the next 50 years. No- It offers an excellent starting point for Asbury Park Award; Monmouth County where is that cooperation more vital than in broadening and deepening the interaction be- Freeholder Theodore J. Narozanick, Special dealing with the shortage in the region’s tween the Congress and the Knesset. The re- Recognition Award; The Monmouth Ocean most precious resource, water. Water has al- lationship are we establishing between Con- Development Council, Special Recognition