[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 8 (Thursday, February 3, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: February 3, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
               FOSTER APPLIED TECHNOLOGY CENTER STUDENTS

  Mr. MITCHELL. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the 
extraordinary efforts of a group of Maine high school students in the 
ongoing efforts to rebuild Homestead, FL.
  Last month, our Nation watched in horror the devastation caused by 
the California earthquake. We were reminded once again of the sometimes 
overwhelming power that Mother Nature can unleash.
  In August of 1992, another natural disaster struck our Nation. 
Hurricane Andrew came ashore at Homestead, FL, destroying homes and 
seriously disrupting residents' lives.
  Today, more than 16 months later, the effort to rebuild continues. 
Countless volunteers have donated goods and services. In January, a 
group of high school students from Foster Applied Technology Center in 
Farmington, ME, returned from their second trip to Homestead.
  These students used the carpentry skills they have learned in school 
to help reconstruct homes for Florida families still living in 
temporary housing. Students have installed roof trusses, braced and 
framed houses to meet Florida codes, sheathed, papered and shingled 
roofs, and framed interior walls and partitions.
  Not only were the Foster Technology students able to do much work 
themselves, but they also shared their talents by teaching less skilled 
volunteers.
  Many high school students travel to sunny Florida during school 
vacations to relax and play. These students, however, went to Florida 
with a greater purpose: to help people. I commend and thank the 
students and staff of Foster Applied Technology Center for their 
commitment to the Yankee work ethic and their hard work on behalf of 
the people of Homestead.

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