[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 119 (Friday, July 21, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1494]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                 FAMILY VALUES FOUND ON THE FRONT PORCH

                                 ______


                        HON. WILLIAM O. LIPINSKI

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, July 21, 1995
  Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce the pastor of my 
local parish in Chicago, the Rev. Marcel J. Pasciak. He writes a weekly 
column in our parish guide entitled ``Father Marc's Markings.'' I found 
Father Marc's column of July 16, 1995, to be very informative, 
enjoyable, inspirational, and very much needed in today's society. I 
think so much of his words that I wish to share them with all who read 
the Congressional Record. Following is Father Marc's Markings:
                           Front Porch People

       We're just not front porch people anymore. In the old 
     neighborhood of Brighton Park, Back of the Yards, and 
     Canaryville, when the temperature reached 80 degrees, 
     families took to the front porch or front stoop. Chairs, 
     stools, pillows, made their way outside as Dad read the 
     paper, Mom knitted or crocheted and Junior with his friends 
     played CLUE or SORRY (Monopoly money blew around too easily 
     in the wind).
       Neighbors cradling brown parcels hurrying home from the 
     corner grocery store stopped to exchange greetings and swap 
     stories. People from other porches down the street meandered 
     over to say ``hello'' or check on the White Sox score. Ladies 
     exchanged gardening tips; men boasted about their new lawn 
     mowers or tools; children either drank cans of Pepsi or 
     hurriedly unwrapped popsicles. Tugging on their mother's 
     aprons, they pleaded for one last bicycle ride around the 
     block before it gets too dark. ``The Front Porch'' meant 
     family and neighborhood. It reflected a less complicated, 
     more innocent lifestyle in America. The front porch was not 
     only a place to cool off on a hot summer night; but a place 
     where community began, where different ages mixed together, 
     laughing, talking, sipping cool drinks. Relationships were 
     deepened and values were communicated--it was in a sense a 
     holy place.
       In our air-conditioned society of 1995, we no longer come 
     out on the stoop to see our neighbors or share board games 
     with the youngsters. We huddle in front of our cable 
     televisions or VCR's with remote control units poised in 
     hand. We don't even huddle together since just about everyone 
     on the household has their own television set. Table games 
     have been replaced by computers or by video games (Nintendo 
     or Sega * * * some quite violent). Children no longer feel 
     energetic enough to ride their bicycles or play catch with 
     Dad in the back yard.
       Moms, tired from shopping in the large suburban malls, 
     catch up with laundry or do housework in the evenings; many 
     have put in a full day at work and just don't feel sociable. 
     Dads may still tinker in the garage or basement workshops--
     before couching down with beer and snackies before the 
     television set ready for a long evening before the tube 
     (watching sports or the newest Bruce Willis movie). No room 
     for the front porch here.
       Yes--times have changed. We no longer have that front porch 
     mentality. No amount of politicians like Robert Dole who 
     promote family values or clergymen inviting church 
     participation or civic leaders calling for neighborhood pride 
     will bring back that front porch stoop and all that it stood 
     for.
       What we do need to do is to re-invent or re-translate the 
     front porch spirit of family and neighborhood pride in 
     contemporary terms, in a livable way for our modern society. 
     We need to encourage first of all, neighbors to communicate 
     with their neighbors. In my rounds on house blessings so far, 
     one thing that comes out strongly is the real horror stories 
     of neighbors who live next to one another and refuse to even 
     talk to each other. Incidents of long ago have contributed to 
     a state of co-existence or cold war on both sides of the back 
     yard fences.
       Second, why not promote more block parties like so many 
     blocks have each year. Barricade the street, play some music, 
     organize some games, barbecue some food, and invite 
     absolutely everyone to it. Invite the parish priests; maybe 
     have a prayer service or Mass. Talk, play, and pray together.
       Third, welcome newcomers who move into the neighborhood. 
     Bring over a cake or some cold drinks and introduce yourself; 
     it sounds corny but, you know, it breaks the ice and builds 
     community.
       Fourth, find out who might need some extra help on the 
     block: food shopping, grass cutting, reading the newspaper 
     for, or just sitting with. Encourage your youngsters and 
     teens to assist in a sense of Christian service (no money 
     accepted, please).
       Fifth, provide for the safety of the neighborhood. Keep 
     your eyes and ears open for trouble or suspicious activity. 
     Attend police beat meetings to get to know your police 
     officer and what you can do to keep your block safe. Work 
     together and dialogue with neighborhoods to make your block a 
     better place to live.
       Sixth, promote this spirit in your own home. Meet your 
     children's friends; invite them over for dinner or pizza. 
     Invite their parents over as well. Plan common activities or 
     trips to Great America or baseball games or to the water 
     park. Do creative tournaments or games in your back yard or 
     front lawn to instill healthy competition (bingo games, 
     chess, stick ball, board games). Encourage your children to 
     walk or bike around the neighborhood, instead of always 
     relying on the automobile to get us around town.
       We need desperately to come out of our shells, out of our 
     homes, we need to network and communicate and realize that we 
     depend on one another. We need to rediscover that it's people 
     that makes the world go round--not computers or television 
     images--real live people communicating, laughing, playing, 
     living together. Our stories of faith and life must be filled 
     with memories not of video games and cable movies but of 
     people and neighborhoods and porch stoops.
     

                          ____________________