[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 153 (Thursday, September 28, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1862-E1863]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               A TRIBUTE TO MITCHELL HARB OF LAWRENCE, MA

                                 ______


                         HON. MARTIN T. MEEHAN

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 28, 1995

  Mr. MEEHAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an 
outstanding citizen, Mr. Mitchell Harb.
  Mr. Harb, a retired U.S. postal clerk, was the driving force behind a 
proposal to allow for 

[[Page E 1863]]
a moment of silence before the school day begins in all of the Lawrence 
public schools. With the help of Mr. John Housianitis, vice chairman of 
the Lawrence school committee, Lawrence School Superintendent James F. 
Scully, and Lawrence Mayor Mary Claire Kennedy, Mr. Harb was able to 
convince the school committee to establish a moment of silence in the 
schools as a way of fostering a more positive atmosphere in the 
classrooms.
  Since its adoption in March of 1994, many students have expressed 
their gratitude for the moment of silence before their school day 
begins. Many have used this period as a time for personal reflection 
and thought. Others have used it as a time for prayer. Regardless of 
religious denomination, students in Lawrence public school system now 
have the opportunity to take a moment to express themselves through 
reflection, thought, or prayer before each school day begins.
  Today in our country, our children face many challenges at school. 
Not only are there academic rigors, but there are also social pressures 
that our young people must constantly address, day in and day out. A 
moment of silence and reflection will not eliminate these pressures, 
but it can ease them.
  Again, I applaud the efforts of Mr. Harb and the other community 
leaders who have been at the forefront of this movement. I hope other 
communities will follow the lead of the Lawrence public school system 
and institute a moment of silence before each school day. It has 
benefited the students in Lawrence and it will benefit others.

                          ____________________