[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 63 (Thursday, May 19, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 19, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                                CONNTREK

 Mr. LIEBERMAN. Mr. President, I rise today before you to 
acknowledge the young participants of ConnTrek. These students, in 
grades 4 through 9, spend 1 week in the summer to walk 100 miles across 
Connecticut to raise money to send children with cancer to Paul 
Newman's Hole in the Wall Gang Camp.
  ConnTrek was founded in 1987 by a small group of middle school 
children from Tolland who were inspired by the book ``A Walk Across 
America'' by Peter Jenkins, which tells the story of a man who traveled 
on foot across the entire Nation. Motivated by the book, these 
ambitious sixth graders decided to raise money for charity while 
following Mr. Jenkins' example.
  Among the charity organizations ConnTrek has been able to help in the 
past are the March of Dimes and the American Cancer Society. In 
addition, ConnTrek has aided an individual with cancer who had no 
insurance. For the past 3 years, ConnTrek has contributed to Paul 
Newman's Hole in the Wall Gang Camp in Ashford, CT.
  Through the years, ConnTrek has grown to include children from the 
towns of Pawcatuck, Tolland, Lebanon, Columbia, South Windsor, East 
Hampton, and Old Lyme. Each year, the Connecticut Army National Guard 
provides the 100-mile escort for the children.
  ConnTrek has received commendations from several important 
individuals including President George Bush, Connecticut Governor 
O'Neill, and Connecticut Governor Weicker. The organization has also 
been commended by the Congress of the United States and the Connecticut 
General Assembly.
  The children who participate in ConnTrek should be recognized a very 
special group of youths. By selflessly giving their time and energy in 
helping others, these students have demonstrated that youths today can 
make a difference in the world. Thus, it is with great pride that I 
thank and congratulate the young participants of ConnTrek in their 
seventh annual walk-a-thon.

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