E936 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD Ð Extensions of Remarks May 21, 1998 composition of one of our most revered institu- members of Southern High School's mock trial the organization for every mortgage loan tions. team for their outstanding performance in the made by the bank. This partnership will finally f Mock Trial National Championship held in Al- make possible the development of the Wor- buquerque, New Mexico from May 8±9. They CELEBRATION OF THE VALLEY sted Woolen Mills site, the former location of placed second in a competitive program in- BANK a factory destroyed by fire in 1993. Prior to volving 45 state teams. Not only did Southern Third Federal's donation, Greater Cleveland High School take second honors, Leslie Trav- Habitat had trouble finding financial backing. HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON is, a fourth year Southern High student, was OF MISSISSIPPI also awarded the distinction of best attorney in My fellow colleagues, join me in recognizing IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES the competition. Third Federal Savings Association's commit- Thursday, May 21, 1998 Mr. Speaker, the people of Guam are ex- ment to its surrounding community and in con- Mr. THOMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today tremely proud of Ria Baldevia, Brian Biacan, gratulating the bank of its 60th Anniversary. to celebrate as well as acknowledge the 100th Sharon Cadag, Leona Cruz, Vera Lynn birthday of The Valley Bank in Greenwood, Gozum, Leanna Libby, Charles McJohn, f Mississippi. Originally founded in 1898 in Denise Mendiola, John Moorhead, Pergrin Rosedale, Mississippi, The Valley Bank has Pervez, Teddy Salas, Michael San Nicolas, IN HONOR OF THE 32ND ANNIVER- persevered, persisted, prevailed and pros- Aubrey Santos, Tricia Ann Santos, Leslie SARY OF THE INDEPENDENCE OF pered into a system of community banks with Travis, and Joshua Tyquiengco not only for GUYANA eleven locations across the Mississippi Delta their exceptional achievement, but also for extending into the states' capital at Jackson, their admirable performance as Guam's am- one of the fastest growing cities in Mississippi. bassadors in this national contest. HON. ROBERT MENENDEZ The Valley Bank was founded by David Mock trial is an arduous competition which Reinach, W.B. Roberts, Saint Kohn, Isaac calls on a team's creative intelligence, logical OF NEW JERSEY Kohn, Godfrey Frank, J.L. Wilson, and G.J. reasoning, and quick wit to outmatch the other IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES McGehee, Jr. It was the vision of these seven competitors. Southern High School's perform- aspiring gentlemen to create a financial institu- ance illustrates what can be accomplished Thursday, May 21, 1998 tion in the Mississippi Delta. With this vision, through hard work, dedication and teamwork. The Valley Bank has grown to become a well On behalf of the people of Guam, I congratu- Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today known bank throughout the country. In 1997, late Southern High School and the members to honor the New Jersey Arya Samaj Mandir, The Valley Bank ranked 78th out of 14,850 of their mock trial team for their magnificent Inc. for their efforts to commemorate the 32nd banks in the nation on its return on assets and achievement. anniversary of the Independence of the Re- return on equity to stockholders. In addition to f public of Guyana. On Tuesday, May 26, they that, The Valley Bank ranked #1 out of 126 will be hosting their third annual commemora- IN HONOR OF THIRD FEDERAL banks in Mississippi in both loan volume and tive flag-raising for the independence of Guy- dollar amount of loans made under the Farm SAVINGS ASSOCIATION ana in the Council Chambers at City Hall in Service Agency and in business and industry loans. Jersey City. New Jersey Arya Samaj Mandir, HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH Inc. was incorporated in 1988 and aims to pre- Mr. Speaker, in this day of mega-mergers OF OHIO serve and promote Arya/Hindu culture in New where banks are being bought and sold, con- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES solidated, and reaching across state lines, The Jersey. Thursday, May 21, 1998 Valley Bank remains one of the few banks that The history of Guyana parallels that of the continues the tradition of personal service, Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor United States in several ways. Similar to the customer satisfaction and community involve- Third Federal Savings Association, which has U.S., Christopher Columbus was the first Eu- ment. It is refreshing to know that The Valley served as a leader in Cleveland's banking Bank today is as old-fashioned as it was 100 community for sixty years. ropean to see the Guyana coast in 1498. Guy- years ago when it first opened its doors for Third Federal Savings continues to build ana is also a land of immigrants with citizens business. upon its legacy as a strong civic institution by tracing their roots to India, Portugal, China, Mr. Speaker, please join me in celebrating spearheading the Broadway Development Ini- and Africa. Guyana is the only country on the the 100th birthday of The Valley Bank. May it tiative, a group of 100 organizations dedicated mainland of South America with English as its prosper for an additional 100 years based on to the revitalization of Cleveland's Broadway- official language. the principle of dedicated personal service. Slavic Village area. The initiative includes a di- Guyana also shares with the United States f verse assortment of community groups from the experience of gaining independence from CONGRATULATIONS TO SOUTHERN the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland to govern- ment entities. the colonial interests of Europe. The Dutch, HIGH SCHOOL'S MOCK TRIAL the French, and the British have each occu- TEAM The crown jewel of the redevelopment area will be Third Federal's $17.3 million operations pied Guyana at various times between 1621 HON. ROBERT A. UNDERWOOD center, which will be completed in November and 1966. In 1992, Guyana successfully insti- 1999. In addition, the bank has pledged to in- tuted free and fair elections. OF GUAM vest $10 million in the community within the IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES In closing, I would like to thank the New Jer- next ten years. sey Arya Samaj Mandir, Inc. for their flag-rais- Thursday, May 21, 1998 Third Federal will also ally with Greater Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I would Cleveland Habitat for Humanity in combating ing ceremony and congratulate the Republic of like to take this opportunity to congratulate the the problem of homelessness, donating $10 to Guyana for its 32nd year of independence.