E 252 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD Ð Extensions of Remarks February 29, 1996 immersed in a rigorous academic program that tunity for personal betterment that is inherent The tragic and misguided returned to vio- provides a solid foundation in math, reading, in the idea of the United States. This has lence recently by some who mistakenly be- writing, and analytical reasoning. It is hardly proved to be the case for Aaron. He enlisted lieve that justice can be obtained through ter- surprising that Berkeley-Carroll was awarded in the Navy in 1974 without a college degree. rorism, death, and destruction, must end. The the Federal Blue Ribbon Award for their sin- Since then he has devoted his life to serving IRA cease fire must be restored, the bombings cere committment to academic strength and our country to the best of his ability, and his ended, and peaceful means and dialog re- civic leadership. dedication has provided much in return. Aaron sumed immediately, or the nationalist cause As a resident of Park Slope, I have wit- has traveled the world via aircraft carrier, will suffer even greater damage in world opin- nessed the positive contributions made by learned the highly specialized skill of aviation ion. Berkeley-Carroll to the neighborhoods electronics, and after putting that training to As we once again examine at this particular throughout Brooklyn. Students are given a use repairing A±6 fighters, he is now the ad- time of year, the impact the Irish have had on special experience that will stay with them ministrator of the school where he learned the America, and why the U.S. has a responsibility their entire lives. I rise to honor this landmark craft. From humble origins, Lieutenant Com- to remain engaged in the efforts to bring about institution and urge all of my colleagues to mander Craycroft has achieved success lasting peace and justice in Ireland, it is worth recognize this Brooklyn-based school as a na- through 20 years of hard work. His example is remembering their many sacrifices and con- tional leader in education. a model for the youth of today, for there are tributions to our great Nation. f no easy answers, no quick fixes, and no sub- President Clinton addressing a joint session stitute for giving your all. The path to oppor- of the Irish parliament in Dublin on his trip last TRIBUTE TO LOIS McDANIEL tunity and fulfillment exists if you are willing to year, mentioned the 200,000 Irish who bravely give of yourself. fought for the Union cause in our civil war. HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS Mr. Speaker, Aaron's story is especially Many Irish officers and soldiers also distin- OF NEW YORK meaningful to me, because at 17, I also en- guished themselves in ending British rule over IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES tered the armed services without having been the colonies, during the earlier American revo- lution. Thursday, February 29, 1996 to college, and I will never forget what that op- portunity has meant to my life. I would like to Once here in this great land, and taking full Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker Lois McDaniel is thank Lieutenant Commander Craycroft for his advantage of the American dream, the Irish a native of Batesburg, SC and embodies the devotion to his country's security. I am hon- fought and died for this Nation, and excelled philosophy that hard work pays big dividends. ored to represent him and his family in the in every way and walk of American life. Few Lois attended South Carolina State College U.S. Congress. from the World War II generation can forget, and Pace University's evening program. She f a young Irish lad named Audie Murphy who currently serves as the calendar information on the battlefields of eastern France, became officer for the department of city planning and SAINT PATRICK'S DAY 1996 one of the Nation's most decorated veterans. secretary to the New York City Planning Com- He received the Medal of Honor and 27 other mission for land use and zoning matters. In HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN decorations, including the Distinguished Serv- her capacity she conducts televised public OF NEW YORK ice Cross, the Silver Star with Oak Leaf Clus- hearings at city hall for the New York City IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ter, and the Croix de Guerre with Palm. Planning Commission. In fact, since Congress established the Con- Thursday, February 29, 1996 Prior to joining the department of city plan- gressional Medal of Honor in 1863, there have ning, Ms. McDaniel served as executive sec- Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, the promotion of been a remarkable 250 or more Irish who retary to the president of the Bedford- peace and justice, along with long term and have earned this Nation's highest honor. No Stuyvesant Restoration Corp. A homeowner in shared economic development on the beloved other nationality, even comes close to that as- East New York since 1969, Lois has been in- Emerald Isle, are important items of concern tonishing record of valor and courage in serv- volved in numerous civic activities within the to millions of Americans of Irish descent, par- ice of this great Nation. Community Board 5 area. Her efforts have ticularly at this time of year as we all join The sons and daughters of Ireland, their supported senior citizens, block associations, again in celebrating yet another glorious St. families and many friends here in America, are the Democratic Club of East New York, and Patrick's Day. all grateful for our Government and its leaders' Union 1180. These important issues of peace and justice efforts, from both parties, to help pay back Ms. McDaniel is actively involved in food also concern all of Ireland's many friends here those remarkable sacrifices. The President drives for City Harvest's food distribution pro- and around the globe, especially now once has worked hard to bring peace and justice to gram for the homeless, and is also involved in again with the misguided return to violence by their ancestral homeland, which every Irish- numerous other charitable efforts. I am proud some few frustrated with the pace of the man holds near and dear to his or her heart. to acknowledge her efforts to serve the people peace process and needed change on the We must all continue to work to keep peace of Brooklyn. ground in the north of Ireland today. in Ireland on the top of America's foreign pol- f Ireland and its warm, generous people have icy agenda today, as I and others will do here long had a fond affection for America, as in the Congress. CELEBRATING THE CAREER President Clinton learned when he trium- While helping make America great, the Irish ACHIEVEMENTS OF LT.C. AARON phantly toured the whole island late last year. have never forgotten, from whence they A. CRAYCROFT There we all witnessed first hand, the genuine proudly came, as anyone who has marched warmth and love of the Irish people for Amer- in, or witnessed the grand Saint Patrick's Day HON. GLENN POSHARD ica, and the respect for the President's out- parade down 5th Avenue in New York City OF ILLINOIS standing leadership in promoting peace on the each year. Today, more than 40 million Ameri- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES island. cans have ancestral links to Ireland, many as The President has done much through his a result of the large immigration that followed Thursday, February 29, 1996 effort at promoting peace in Ireland to in some the great famine, as well as the years before Mr. POSHARD. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleas- small way, pay back that nation that has also and after, that terrible and destructive human ure today to relate a very inspiring story. It is given America so much. With the current tragedy. not an unfamiliar plot, but one that always re- breakdown in the progress toward lasting This year's Saint Patrick's parade Grand assures my faith in the American dream and peace, it is time for the President to take the Marshal is William Flynn the CEO of Mutual of the work ethic that has made this country the next step, and appoint that promised peace America in New York City. He is a great man, greatest in the world. Aaron A. Craycroft of envoy, which many believe is needed to get duly deserving of this high honor, who has Macon County, IL, the northernmost county of the process back on track. dedicated himself to peace in Ireland, and has Illinois' 19th district, has been promoted to the Former Senator George Mitchell, who worked tirelessly to bring about lasting peace rank of lieutenant commander in the Navy Air served so well as head of the International and justice, as have so many of his fellow Corps, and I salute his ascension to this posi- Body dealing with the arms issue, would be an Irish Americans. tion. ideal candidate for the position, in my opinion. The Irish in America, and their many friends Military service in the United States has al- I urge the President to make such an appoint- have long played a role in assuring that our ways been a position of honor for those who ment of a peace envoy at this critical time in Government and elected leaders have not for- have served, and often represents the oppor- Irish history. gotten that the problems of Ireland did not end February 29, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD Ð Extensions of Remarks E 253 with the great famine. Together we have forefront of providing much needed services to As an advocate for gun control since 1979, worked hard to insure that the people of Ire- migrant workers in northeastern Pennsylvania.