[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 87 (Wednesday, May 24, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1108-E1109]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
JOE PETERSON: TEACHER, SCHOLAR, VOLUNTEER
______
HON. JAMES L. OBERSTAR
of minnesota
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, May 23, 1995
Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, in these days when we hear too many voices
ask ``What's in it for me?'' It is always refreshing to hear of those
who freely donate their time and efforts for the good of their fellow
citizens--in other words, volunteers.
Volunteers can be found in every community. They are both male and
female, of all races and faiths. They come from all walks of life and
from all economic strata, and they range in age from elementary
students to senior citizens. However, these volunteers all have one
attribute in common: they ask for no compensation other than the good
feeling they got from helping their fellow citizens.
One such volunteer is Joseph Peterson, of Carlton, MN in my
congressional district. Mr. Peterson is an amateur scholar in American
history, particularly in the history of the Presidency. He is an
amateur in the root sense of the word: he is a true lover of his chosen
field of study.
Like all volunteers, Mr. Peterson does not hide his light under a
bushel. He happily shares his knowledge of our Government and our
Presidents with schools, churches, social groups, and libraries in
Carlton County and throughout Minnesota. A democratic society relies on
an educated electorate, and Joseph Peterson is one man in one American
community who is doing what he can to inform, educate, and stimulate
interest in our democratic process.
Mr. Speaker, I would like at this time to share with you and my
colleagues a newspaper article about Mr. Peterson from the Cloquet
Journal and a sampling of the letters I have received recognizing his
activities in the community. I'm sure you will join me in recognizing
the importance of this volunteer's contribution to our society.
[From the Cloquet Minnesota Journal]
Presidential Buff Continues Hobby
(By Wendy Rockvam)
February is the month the nation traditionally honors its
presidents. For one Cloquet resident, however, Presidents'
Day is a year-round observance.
Joe Peterson, a presidential history buff whose pursuits
have taken him to President Bush's State of the Union Address
and President Clinton's Inauguration, has been interested in
the lives of the presidents since he was in second grade.
During that year, President Kennedy was assassinated, and
Peterson put together a detailed report on it for his class
at school. His teacher gave his efforts high praise, and thus
began a lifetime interest in the presidential office and
those who have held it.
Peterson's hobby has involved an extensive amount of
reading and study as well as a vast amount of correspondence.
He has received Christmas cards, birthday cards, and
autographed photos of several presidents, and he is
constantly on the lookout for presidential memorabilia of all
sorts.
Peterson said he tries to view presidents as people rather
than political figures and finds them all fascinating in
their own respect. His personal favorites are Pierce (``He
kept the same cabinet for all four years of his presidency'')
and Polk (``He was the only Speaker of the House to go on to
become President'').
He is also a collector of presidential trivia.
``For example,'' he asked ``did you know that there are
only three states--Ohio, Nebraska, and Hawaii--that actually
recognize all the presidents on President's Day? All the
others honor only Washington and Lincoln.''
``Another thing I've uncovered that most people don't
know,'' he said, ``is the fact that no left-handed president
has ever been re-elected to office. President Clinton, by the
way, is left handed. . . .''
____
Billy Graham
Evangelistic Association,
Minneapolis, MN.
For many years Joe has researched and studied about our
United States Presidents [[Page E1109]] and collected
memorabilia which he has displayed at various functions. He
prepared a small display here for our employees one
President's Day as well as another on the July 4 Independence
Day.
He is an unusual man who has done a service to others by
reminding us of our government, our freedom and our history
in this special way.
I hope you will be able to give him an opportunity to again
show his collection.
Sincerely,
Doris A. Horton,
Director, Human Resources.
____
Washington Elementary School,
Cloquet, MN.
I have known Joe Peterson for over ten years and during
that time he has worked on a history of Washington Elementary
School, talked in our Grade 4 classrooms on state symbols for
Minnesota Day, and visited various classrooms discussing our
presidents. His drive and enthusiasm are self evident in his
thorough presentations.
Respectfully,
T.M. Walsh,
Principal, Washington Elementary School.
____
Our Savior's Lutheran Church,
Cloquet, MN.
Joe has done extensive work in researching the lives and
accomplishments of our presidents. He deserves recognition.
Joe Peterson has also done much valuable work with the
history of our congregation. He has articulate knowledge
about each of the pastors, significant congregational
members, and specific dates. He has also helped considerably
in this work in the history of other congregations. He has
put much time and effort into all of the above.
Sincerely,
Dennis C. Morreim,
Senior Pastor.
____
Cloquet Co-op Credit Union,
Cloquet MN.
In our community, Joe has become quite a historian and was
recognized just one week ago in our local newspaper for the
historical work that he has done. Joe does outstanding work
and is highly committed to the endeavor of becoming an expert
on our past presidents. I write this letter to you on behalf
of Joe Peterson and should you have any questions as to his
reputation or work ethic, please by all means feel free to be
in touch with me.
Sincerely,
Del D. Prevost,
President.
____
Carlton County Historical Society,
Cloquet, MN.
Joe has been a member of our Society for a long time. He
has done research on the presidents and other sources.
We have all gotten along very well with Joe and he is
always willing to pass on help when he can.
Sincerely,
Fern M. Olson.
Kathleen Monson.
____
I have known Joe Peterson for about five years. He is a
very nice young fellow, ambitious and always willing to give
a helping hand.
He gave several programs at the senior center about the
presidents. It was very moving to hear him talk about them.
He knows where and when they were born, about their history
and backgrounds. Then, a couple of months later, he put on
one about their wives, which was very interesting also.
He's put on programs at several other places, too.
He is a very smart young fellow and well liked by everyone.
Violet I. Lomprey.
Duluth, Minnesota.
____________________