[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 35 (Thursday, March 14, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E364]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      COMMENDING THE YOUNG ITALIAN AMERICAN A.C.E.S. CLUB OF UNICO

                                 ______


                        HON. WILLIAM J. MARTINI

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 14, 1996

  Mr. MARTINI. Mr. Speaker, for the past 7 years, the Young Italian 
American ACES--Athletic, Cultural, Educational, Social/Service--Club of 
UNICO National has been sharing fellowship, support, benevolence, 
friendship, and hope with those less fortunate. And, in celebration of 
Saint Joseph Day's, the ACES Club sponsored by the Belleville UNICO 
Chapter will once again respond to the needs of the community by 
preparing a traditional Sicilian Alter for the sick and the needy.
  The ACES Club provides a living example of what the Roman Statesman 
Seneca meant when he wrote that wherever there is a human being, there 
is an opportunity for kindness. Certainly, the ACES Club proves to all 
of us that no selfless act of kindness is insignificant. Indeed, heroic 
compassion is first learned through loving kindness. By faithfully 
evidencing the love and justice of Saint Joseph, the Young ACES Club 
reminds us that society is most profoundly changed not by huge, 
impersonal institutions but by people determined to make a positive 
difference.
  Acts of compassion and mercy add meaning to our lives and to the 
lives of those around us. The Young Italian American ACES Club's 
consistent example of volunteerism teaches the valuable lesson that all 
of humankind is all our business. Truly, it gives us greater 
satisfaction to be helpful than helped.
  The 18th century statesman Edmund Burke described voluntary 
associations that feed the hungry, house the homeless, and clothe the 
needy as ``little platoons.'' The ACES Club is a modern day example of 
a little platoon performing works of mercy and helping to produce the 
spirit by which people do good out of compassion, not compulsion.
  The young people of the ACES Club perform the highest role of 
citizenship as they love their neighbor and respond to the needs of the 
community. This year the ACES Club will distribute the Saint Joseph's 
donations to a broad range of civic and charity organizations that 
serve the sick and the less fortunate. This standard of enduring 
goodness shows us that the health of society depends on how well its 
individual citizens treat one another.
  The Young Italian American ACES Club of UNICO National is the 
embodiment of goodwill and generosity. I greatly admire the ACES Club's 
dedication to loving others and promoting justice in the best tradition 
of Saint Joseph. Furthermore, I offer my congratulations to the 
Belleville UNICO Chapter for challenging young people to take up the 
task of helping others.
  Happy Saint Joseph's Day.

                          ____________________