[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 65 (Friday, April 7, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E851-E852]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                         VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR

                                 ______


                         HON. MICHAEL P. FORBES

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 7, 1995
  Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend an exceptional 
citizen. Al Philips, Jr., who as president of the Sag Harbor Ambulance 
Corps for 10 years, was recently named Member of the Year. Mr. Philips 
is a training officer, a cardiopulmonary rescusitation instructor, and 
an emergency medical technician certified in critical care. Mr. Philips 
has made great sacrifices to ensure that he has been there for the 
corps and the community of Sag Harbor.
  Today, more and more people are seeking to get involved in their 
communities. The unsung leaders of this community movement are 
volunteers. From our volunteer firemen to the high school jazz band 
playing concerts for senior citizens, from child mentors to literacy 
volunteers, these people are the glue that keep our communities 
together.
  But what exactly is community service? Most people think of it as the 
act being performed, such as a rescue of a child by an emergency 
service volunteer. But in fact, service is not isolated to what we call 
``the action of''. Rather, service is the sacrifice one makes to be a 
volunteer. This may include the sacrifice of time with your family, the 
sacrifice of money, or even one's life. A volunteer fireman understands 
this every time he enters a burning building. And what about the 
volunteer's family? They obviously are forced to join him or her in the 
world of volunteerism, because they too make sacrifices.
  The most important aspect of service occurs after what we are calling 
``the action of.'' This is when the stories of the volunteers are 
relayed to others. When a college kid decides to spend an afternoon 
volunteering at a soup kitchen, the more important act of service 
occurs soon after he leaves. It occurs when he goes back to his dorm 
and tells the story of the grateful man who broke down in tears because 
the student had taken the time to help him in his time of need. It 
occurs when those 
[[Page E852]] listening might catch the bug and get involved also. It 
is the testimony of a volunteer's experience that is usually the best 
way to recruit others. Thus, it is the act of sharing and telling that 
becomes the greatest service.
  Mr. Speaker, the sacrifices Mr. Philips has made, along with his 
continuing involvement to ensure the safety and well being of the 
citizens of Eastern Long Island, make him worthy of the honor Volunteer 
of the Year.


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