[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 110 (Wednesday, August 10, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: August 10, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                 GODFATHERS OF RHODE ISLAND RENAISSANCE

  Mr. PELL. Mr. President, I would like to share with my colleagues a 
thoughtful article expressing appreciation of two Rhode Island 
philanthropists and the far-reaching effect of their generosity.
  The two philanthropists are Alan Shawn Feinstein and John Hazen 
White. Both men have focused their considerable resources on providing 
improved educational opportunities.
  Each, in their own way, have helped to fuel what may yet become a 
Rhode Island renaissance. Our experience in Rhode Island may well serve 
as an inspiration to other philanthropists in other regions of our 
nation.
  This article, by the way, is by someone who knows of the impact of 
Mr. White's philanthropy--Thomas J. Farrell, dean of the John Hazen 
White School of Arts and Sciences at Johnson & Wales University.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that this article, entitled 
``Two godfathers of a Rhode Island renaissance,'' which appeared in the 
Providence Journal of August 5, 1994, appear in the Record.
  There being no objection, the article was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

              Two Godfathers of a Rhode Island Renaissance

       Henry David Thoreau said, ``Philanthropy is almost the only 
     virtue that is sufficiently appreciated by mankind.'' 
     Thoreau's comment is a useful reminder to Rhode Islanders 
     that we need to recognize and value the philanthropists in 
     our midst who have recently taken the lead in what has the 
     promise of being a political, economic and social renaissance 
     in our state.
       Two of those philanthropists are Alan Shawn Feinstein and 
     John Hazen White.
       Although the philanthropic spirit is as old as recorded 
     history, the term was first used in the 18th Century, when 
     the state and private individuals began to take over 
     charitable works previously done by religious organizations. 
     Philanthropy is generally understood as being characterized 
     by a spirit of goodwill toward humanity, usually expressed by 
     activities that promote human welfare. While particular acts 
     of generosity will vary in the amount of good they do for 
     society, we can be certain that Mr. Feinstein and Mr. White 
     surely represent philanthropy at its very best.
       In late March, the Rhode Island Chapter of the American Red 
     Cross honored Mr. Feinstein with a Longfellow Humanitarian 
     Award. Among Mr. Feinstein's many accomplishments singled out 
     that evening, the Red Cross applauded his committing millions 
     of dollars to starting programs in community and public 
     service in Rhode Island high schools. Providence College has 
     established a degree program in public service with a 
     Feinstein grant and ``through his vision and financial 
     support,'' the first high school in the country to have 
     public and community service as its central theme will open 
     in Rhode Island this year. Mr. Feinstein also founded the 
     World Hunger Program at Brown University, the first 
     university center for research and education addressing the 
     root causes of world hunger.
       A month later, 250 persons gathered at a reception to 
     recognize John Hazen White's $1 million gift to the School of 
     Arts and Sciences at Johnson & Wales University. The 
     president and chief executive officer of TACO Inc. had 
     previously provided Brown University with the funding to set 
     up the Public Opinion Laboratory that bears his name. But it 
     is ``Red Alert!,'' Mr. White's grass-roots movement to bring 
     about political reform and enhance the quality of life in 
     Rhode Island, that is his most widely recognized activity.
       His frequent full-page newspaper ads call citizens to 
     periodic town meetings at which healthy debates take place on 
     issues ranging from integrity in state government to the 
     problems of adolescents. On a quieter scale, all of Mr. 
     White's employees at his Cranston-based manufacturing firm 
     are able to attend free classes in the TACO Learning Center 
     built just for their use. Employees can take classes--on 
     company time--in anything from English as a Second Language 
     to accounting for nonprofessionals, from parenting to 
     customer service, from Weight Watchers to GED training.
       Both Alan Shawn Feinstein and John Hazen White have 
     philanthropic interests other than those mentioned here. It 
     is worth noting, however, that a common thread runs through 
     much of their gift-giving. That common thread is the 
     conviction that education is the key to a better society. 
     They accept Plutarch's notion that ``the very spring and root 
     of honesty and virtue lie in good education.''
       Astute businessmen that they are, these two Rhode Islanders 
     instinctively realize that certain investments are apt to 
     reap greater dividends. Both seem to share with Vaclav Havel, 
     the playwright/president of the Czech Republic, the 
     knowledge that ``consciousness precedes action.'' In other 
     words, people need to understand what something is about 
     before they can do anything to change it.
       Fortunately, there is considerable evidence that a new 
     consciousness is spreading throughout the state, that there 
     is a feeling of renewal caused by something other than balmy 
     spring weather, that indeed we may be in the early stages of 
     a Rhode Island renaissance.
       Cynics may scorn such optimism and point to recent actions 
     of the judiciary, the state Lottery Commission, or individual 
     members of the state legislature to argue that business goes 
     on as usual. That is what cynics do. In some cases, they may 
     have a point, but ultimately, cynicism does not solve 
     problems; nor is it psychologically satisfying.
       What Rhode Islanders need most of all is to regain their 
     self-esteem and confidence. Thus it is necessary to recognize 
     and appreciate all the good things that are taking place. 
     Consider the work of members of the various reform groups: 
     Right Now, Common Cause, GAP, USPAC, Clean Sweep, Council of 
     Churches, etc. Put partisan politics aside and acknowledge 
     that Gov. Bruce Sundlun and the new state officers have 
     restored a sense of trust and integrity to government.
       Walk through downtown Providence and visualize the city 
     that may yet come to be as a result of the efforts of the 
     mayor and a number of planning groups. Witness the 
     communication and cooperation between the city's colleges and 
     hospitals and Mayor Vincent Cianci resulting in a pact that 
     will benefit the children of Providence for years to come. 
     All of these are signs of renaissance, a time for change, a 
     time for new beginnings.
       Is it premature to use the term ``renaissance'' to describe 
     these recent events? perhaps, but the rebirth of optimism, 
     and thinking positively, can often help actualize 
     aspirations. We owe at least this much to Feinstein, White, 
     and all of the many citizens who strive to make Rhode Island 
     a better place.

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