[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 24 (Tuesday, February 27, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1371-S1372]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                NATIONAL ENGINEERS WEEK--FEBRUARY 18-24

 Mrs. HUTCHISON. Mr. President, the week of February 18-24 has 
been designated ``National Engineers Week.'' It is with great pleasure 
that I rise today to speak in appreciation of the contributions of the 
engineering profession's 1.8 million members.
  It is fitting that we celebrate National Engineers Week around the 
time of George Washington's birthday. Our first President was, in many 
respects, the country's first engineer. Trained as a surveyor and 
engineer, President Washington encouraged private initiatives for 
invention, technical advancements, and education. He also promoted the 
construction of roads, canals, and docks and ports--often with private 
capital. He also sought appropriate designs for the new Nation's public 
buildings.
  The engineering disciplines have had a tremendously positive and 
pervasive influence on our society. Their achievements are represented 
in bridges, roads, harbors, canals, and ship channels, and also in our 
architecture, manufacturing, scientific technology, industrial design, 
transport, and the delivery of various forms of energy to the Nation's 
factories, farms, schools, businesses, and homes.
  Creative engineering is manifest also in the spirit of invention and 
exploration. From the development of new oil drilling equipment to the 
space program, engineering is a key source of our prosperity. Indeed, 
engineering's achievements are so widespread we tend to take them for 
granted, but we must not. By acknowledging the accomplishments of the 
Nation's engineers we also generate support for engineering education 
and interest in pursuing careers in the profession.
  Mr. President, the finals of the National Engineers Week Future City 
Competition are held during this commemorative week. The competition 
features seven teams of seventh and eighth grade students who present 
their designs for cities in the 21st century using computer simulations 
and scale models. I want to congratulate all the engineers, teachers, 
and students from each of the regions competing in this demanding 
process, and wish each of them well in this contest and in their future 
endeavors.
  I would also like to particularly salute the more than two dozen 
prominent engineers among the 1996 all stars of the profession who are 
leading others in a variety of activities, from school visits to media 
forum events.
  Among the 1996 all stars are: Ron Haddock, president and CEO, Fina 
Oil and Chemical Co.--Dallas; Tommy Knight, president and CEO, Brown 
and Root--Houston; John Murphy, CEO, Dresser Corp.--Dallas; Stephen D. 
Bechtel, chairman Emeritus, The Bechtel Group, Inc.; Dr. Mary Cleave of 
NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center; John H. Gibbons, assistant to the 
President for Science and Technology; PBS' Bill Nye, the science guy; 
Dr. Arati Prabhaker, director of the National Institute of Standards 
and Technology; and John F. Welch, chairman and CEO, General Electric 
Co.

[[Page S1372]]


                  THE RETIREMENT OF BRUNO M. PONTERIO

 Mr. MOYNIHAN. Mr. President, I rise today to wish great 
congratulations to Bruno M. Ponterio, who retired on December 22, 1995, 
after 32 years of dedicated service to the Ridge Street School in Rye 
Brook, NY.
  Mr. Ponterio was honored on December 12, 1995 by generations of 
students, teachers, families, and friends of the Ridge Street School at 
a ceremony celebrating his magnificent career. Mr. Ponterio was the 
school's assistant principal for 7 years and its beloved principal for 
25 years. He announced his retirement in June of 1995 but as a 
testimony to their love and appreciation for his work, school 
officials, parents, and children appealed to him to stay on until the 
end of the year.
  Marked by a constant dedication to the future of both the Ridge 
Street School and the children who roam its corridors, Mr. Ponterio has 
set an example for educators nationwide. For 32 years he has served as 
a role model, a father figure, a leader, and a friend and it is fitting 
that the Blind Brook Board of Education has decided to rename the 
school the Bruno M. Ponterio Ridge Street School. I congratulate him on 
a wonderful career and on behalf of so many in New York thank him for 
his years of service and guidance.
  Mr. President, I hope my colleagues will join me in wishing him the 
best of luck in his much deserved retirement.

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