[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 81 (Thursday, June 23, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: June 23, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                       TRIBUTE TO CHARLES E. REID

                                 ______


                           HON. MARGE ROUKEMA

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 23, 1994

  Mrs. ROUKEMA. Mr. Speaker, our communities and our country have 
always relied on the contributions of individuals who rise above and 
beyond the call of duty to make a difference in the lives of others. I 
pause today to join the borough of Paramus, NJ in paying tribute to one 
such hero, Charles E. Reid.
  Charlie Reid is a lifelong resident of northern New Jersey. After 
serving 2\1/2\ years in the U.S. Navy during World War II, Charlie 
returned to New Jersey and married Elizabeth Bampton. Charlie and Betty 
settled in Paramus, NJ where they raised their three sons.
  Over the course of his life, Charlie has served in a number of 
elected offices including mayor of Paramus, Bergen County Freeholder 
and as an assemblyman in the New Jersey State Legislature. I also value 
him as one of my first and strongest supporters, serving as chairman of 
my campaign committee. In each position he demonstrated the knowledge, 
compassion, and wisdom that have been the hallmark of the statesman's 
career. Today, however, I want to bring the attention of my colleagues 
to Charlie's lifetime dedication to education and, specifically, to 
strengthening our Nation's libraries.
  In 1953, Charlie Reid first served as president of the Paramus 
Library Association. The following year, he began his tenure on the 
Paramus Board of Education. In the years since he has held positions on 
the local, State, and national level including president of the 
American Library Trustee Association, the National Book Committee, the 
National Archives Advisory Council, and more recently as the Chairman 
of the United States National Commission on Libraries and Information 
Science and as Chairman of the White House Conference on Library and 
Information Services.
  In each capacity, Charlie has worked tirelessly to build our 
libraries, expand their collections, and make them more accessible to 
each and every member of the community. As President Bush's appointment 
to head the National Commission and the White House Conference, Charlie 
has literally led the Nation's efforts to improve information services.
  For his commitment, Charlie Reid has been the recipient of numerous 
awards including the Paramus Public Library Service Award, the New 
Jersey Library Association Legislative Award, the Mid-Bergen Federation 
of Public Libraries Service Award, and the American Library Association 
Trustee Citation of Merit. Perhaps the most fitting tribute to Charlie 
Reid will be presented this Sunday, June 26 as the borough of Paramus 
names the borough's branch library the Charles E. Reid Branch Library.
  Almost a half century ago, the physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer noted 
that an open society and unrestricted access to knowledge is the key to 
a world of human community. Charlie Reid is well aware of this and has 
spent the better part of his life making knowledge accessible to all. 
Today, I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join with 
me and the borough of Paramus in saying a most grateful thank you.

                          ____________________