[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 178 (Friday, November 10, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2159-E2160]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO ALPHONSE STROOBANTS

                                 ______


                           HON. SCOTT McINNIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, November 10, 1995

  Mr. McINNIS, Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mr. Al 
Stroobants for his dedication to serving his fellow citizens, both 
publicly through his professional career, and privately through the 
generous donation of $3 million to his community hospital.
  Mr. Stroobants is truly living the American dream. A victim of World 
War II, Mr. Stroobants was forced to flee his homeland of Belgium with 
his sister and his parents when it was invaded by Nazi Germans. 
Escaping through the war zone, he remembers to this day the bombs 
exploding around him, and the smell of death.
  He came to America in 1956, with $55 in his pocket, and an education 
that ended when he was 13 years old. In 1962, he founded his own 
company, Belgium Tool & Die, with $3,500 and two apprentices.
  By 1990, sales of the company, which he has since sold, were $25 
million and Mr. Stroobants was able to sell his product in 35 
countries.
  To complete the American dream, Mr. Stroobants was able to give back 
to the community which embraced him and his success; the $3 million 
gift to the Lynchburg General Hospital. His gift will help save lives, 
and will ensure the region has a high level of cardiac care. This new 
center, the Stroobants Heart 

[[Page E 2160]]
Center of Virginia, includes cardiac catheterization laboratories, 
cardiovascular surgery, cardiovascular recovery unit, coronary care 
unit, cardiac diagnostic laboratories, nuclear cardiology, cardiac 
electrophysiology, and cardiopulmonary rehabilitation.
  Mr. Speaker, I hope you will join me in honoring this fine American 
and a true patriot.

                          ____________________