April 23, 1986 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS 8549 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS CONGRESSIONAL SALUTE TO row's Leaders Development Program, William standards while further developing his bas­ THE 1986 HIGH SCHOOL STU­ D. Croix of Rory Sparrow Foundation, Inc., ketball skills. In 1980, Rory's hard work DENT RECIPIENTS, CERTIFI­ which most eloquently portrays the goals and paid off with two achievements: He graduat­ purposes of this most prestigious organization ed from Villanova University with a degree CATES OF EXCELLENCE IN in electrical engineering, the first black to LEADERSHIP AWARDS, RORY as follows: do so, and then was drafted by the New SPARROW FOUNDATION, INC., PROFILE OF RORY SPARROW FOUNDATION, INC. Jersey Nets Basketball Team. OF PATERSON, NJ INTRODUCTION With his successes in hand, Rory returned The Rory Sparrow Foundation Inc. is a home to Paterson, New Jersey, and became non-profit, charitable organization serving very active in community programs geared HON. ROBERT A. ROE the Greater Metropolitan New Jersey /New towards youth. This involvement made OF NEW JERSEY York area. The Foundation was formed in Rory acutely aware of the lack of self-worth 1984 by Rory D. Sparrow, a star basketball and motivation portrayed by so many young IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES player for the New York Knickerbockers people in the area. It prompted him to for­ <The Knicks) and is based in Paterson, New mulate programs that could positively Tuesday, April22, 1986 Jersey, Rory's home town. impact youth in this area. Positive role The purpose of the Foundation is to de­ models and images were what was needed to Mr. ROE. Mr. Speaker, on Saturday, April velop positive self-esteem, positive self-moti­ reinforce self-esteem and self-awareness. 26, the people of the city of Paterson, my vation and positive self-awareness in a seg­ In 1981, Rory was traded to the Atlanta congressional district and State of New Jersey ment of our youth which has a severe short­ Hawks, participated in the community ac­ will assemble at a highly unique "Salute to age of these necessary catalysts to personal tivities in Atlanta and was traded again to Leaders" convention in testimony to an out­ success. It is the philosophy of the Founda­ the New York Knicks in 1982. He chose to standing group of high school students who tion that if a person is endowed with a return to Paterson to live and continue his have completed their internship in the "Ta­ strong, well-developed sense of positive self­ community involvement. morrow's Leaders Development Program" of esteem, awareness and motivation, he or she Rory views himself as someone who beat can realize their highest potential. the odds with the positive influence of the Rory Sparrow Foundation, Inc., of Pater­ To accomplish its goal, the Foundation people who care and, thus, feels that the son, NJ. I know that you and our colleagues provides service programs in the areas of ideal of providing community service should here in the Congress will want to join with me education, health, sports and recreation and not be lost. Rory has spent countless hours in saluting these young people, as follows: economic development. Special emphasis is donating his time and energy to youth pro­ Nelton Barrett, Bernadette Bracey, Eric placed on educational support services. A grams. Not only does he· see the need for Bryant, Sherane Bunting, Andrew Cameron, permanent education, recreation and admin­ grassroot community programs, but he finds Coretta Capers, A. Bryant Crockett, Rodney istration facility is being planned to house great pleasure and a sense of accomplish­ these programs. By reinforcing self-confi­ ment in becoming personally involved. With Crowell, Jody Farr, and Winifred Henry. dence through these services, area young­ this commitment in mind, he formed the Felicia Martin, Jeannie Moore, Navlette sters will get a second chance to develop the Rory Sparrow Foundation Inc. Morgan, Winsome Owens, Monique Reed, Ka­ positive self-esteem, self-motivation and Despite all of the awards and honors he trina Smith, Carol Thompson, Tammy Wil­ self-awareness they need to be competitive has received, Rory cherishes the opportuni­ liams, and Antoinette Young. and productive in our society. · ty to help young people become productive Mr. Speaker, these students include juniors RORY D. SPARROW citizens in their communities. These ideals and seniors of Passaic High School, John F. There is no doubt that Rory D. Sparrow are reflected in the motto Rory has selected Kennedy High School, Eastside High School, has become a success in life. He is now a for the Foundation, "Growing Together in a Ridgewood High School and Mary Help of starting guard for the New York Knicks. His Community Effort." Christian Academy. They all share one basic arrival to success, however, was not easy nor FOUNDATION COMPONENTS are all his goals in life completed. Rory was Tutorial service common element of quality in life's beginning born June 12, 1958 in Suffolk, Virginia, the with Rory D. Sparrow, the most esteemed second of five children born to John and The Foundation is using innovative ap­ basketball star now with the New York Knicks, Claudia Sparrow. In 1962, the Sparrow proaches in tutorial services. Working with who founded the educational development family moved to Paterson, New Jersey, the Boards of Education in Paterson, training and service youth program for leader­ which has become their home. Newark and New York City, the service will ship encompassed in the establishment of the Rory grew up in the Alexander Hamilton help in the areas of mathematics and read­ Projects, a housing development for low­ ing in very small classes and one-to-one en­ Rory Sparrow Foundation: They are all from vironments. Both education professionals the inner city. income families, where the problems of crime, drugs and unemployment cast a and college seniors majoring in education Mr. Speaker, on Saturday, we will honor the heavy shadow on daily life. Rory was aware are tutors in this program. graduates of this program as well as the edu­ of these problems at an early age and was Leadership development cational concept and learning experience pro­ determined to avoid these pitfalls of life and An extracurricular program designed to vided by the Rory Sparrow Foundation. When do more than the expected. He was very for­ expose the excelling high school student to you reflect upon the fact that the cultural, his­ tunate during his youth to have the love the workings of government and the corpo­ torical, and economic achievements-even and support of his family, as well as the rate system. The program runs the entire support of community leaders and teachers, school year and students will meet govern­ the basic health, well being, and longevity of a all of whom stressed the importance of a State and Nation-depend in large measure ment and corporate leaders, attend council good education. Rory attended public school meetings, board meetings and work sites as upon how well we educate each generation in Paterson where he earned excellent charged with the trust of carrying out its re­ they become introduced to the workings and grades, played basketball and participated interrelationships of our American system sponsibilities and traditions, we can indeed be in student government. Basketball taught and the greater world economic order. proud of the Rory Sparrow Foundation's out­ him the importance of good health and standing contribution to the quality of life and teamwork, while his participation in student Student exchange way of life for all of our people. government taught him good organizational Selected students wlll visit other parts of skills. America and other nations to study and ex­ With you permission, Mr. Speaker, I would Rory's excellent grades and ability to play perience other cultures. This experience will like to insert at this point in our historic Jour­ basketball were the key to his early success. broaden a young person's perspective on nal of Congress a biographical essay on Rory In 1976, he was awarded a scholarship to sharing and understanding other viewpoints Sparrow and his foundation as furnished me attend Villanova University in Pennsylva­ as we all attempt to live together on this by the distinguished coordinator of Tomor- nia, where he maintained high academic planet. e This .. bullet" symbol identifies statements or insertions which are not spoken by a Member of the Senate on the floor. Matter set in this typeface indicates words inserted or appended, rather than spoken, by a Member of the House on the floor. 8550 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS April 23, 1986 Motivational and instructional videotape SATELLITE DISH OWNERS would not have a monopoly on marketing pro­ library PROTECTION ACT grams to dish owners. A library of videotapes designed to in­ Right now, satellite dish owners are faced struct young people on career choices and with confusing choices. The rules of the game health issues will be produced. Also, a series HON. BYRON L. DORGAN are being changed. They are being told that designed to motivate and guide youngsters OF NORTH DAKOTA more and more channels will soon be scram­ by using professional athletes as role models IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES bled and will be faced with buying several de­ will be developed. Both series will be distrib­ uted to libraries, schools and youth organi­ Tuesday, April 22, 1986 coders-which cost hundreds of dollars zations. each-to unscramble signals. Mr. DORGAN of North Dakota. Mr. Speaker, At this point, we can't depend on the mar­ Computer school an informed electorate is vital to democracy. ketplace to straighten out this mess. And to keep people informed, they must have Teach uses and applications of the com­ I urge other Members of the House to co­ puter.