[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 107 (Friday, August 5, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: August 5, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                        REMEMBERING JOE CUMMINGS

  Mr. D'AMATO. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to a man who 
devoted his life to the education and character development of every 
student with whom he came in contact, a man who was the epitome of 
excellence as a educator, coach, and motivator. Mr. President, I am 
speaking of Joe Cummings, of Fairport, NY. Joe Cummings passed away 
this past year and in honor and memory of one of their most revered 
citizens, the Fairport Central School District, in conjunction with the 
Fairport-Perinton community, will be recognizing his many contributions 
by naming the Fairport High School football field in his honor on 
September 10, 1994.
  Joe Cummings was born on October 27, 1911. He earned his bachelor of 
science degree from Cortland State College and his master of science 
from Columbia University. He made his mark as a gifted athlete when he 
represented the United States in gymnastics at the 1936 Olympic games 
in Berlin, Germany. From 1936 through 1973, Joe served as a teacher, 
coach, and went on to become the first athletic director of the 
Fairport Central School District. His work at the school was briefly 
interrupted during the time that he served in World War II as a 
lieutenant in the U.S. Navy. Joe Cummings was a unique individual whose 
lifetime focus was to improve his community by working with young 
people. From 1937 to 1953, Joe Cummings developed and served as the 
director of the Fairport-Perinton Youth Commission. He was the past 
president of the Fairport Rotary, and the founder of the Fairport-East 
Rochester ``Little Brown Jug Game,'' which continued for a total of 49 
seasons. In addition to these great achievements, Joe Cummings helped 
to establish the Monroe County High School hockey league in 1968 and 
worked to develop the local swimming program for the disabled.
  Throughout the course of Joe Cummings' life, his numerous 
achievements and accomplishments have not gone unnoticed. In addition 
to the Fairport High School football field to be named in his honor, 
Joe Cummings has been presented with the Rochester Club Distinguished 
Service Award in 1950, the Touchdown Club of Rochester Football Award 
in 1961, the IAABO Board Coach Award in 1966, and the New York State 
Coaches' Association Special Honor Award in 1970. In addition to these 
great honors, Joe Cummings was inducted into both the Monroe County 
Athletics and the Cortland College Halls of Fame.
  Joe Cummings' accomplishments were great, his approach was 
philanthropic, and he was a friend to all who knew him. We are grateful 
to Joe for his relentless dedication to the Fairport community. We will 
remember and he will be sorely missed.
  Mr. President, I thank you.

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