[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 39 (Wednesday, March 20, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E387-E388]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              TRIBUTE TO MSGR. JOHN PATRICK CARROLL-ABBING

                                 ______


                           HON. PETER DEUTSCH

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 19, 1996

  Mr. DEUTSCH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of Lou Marsh, a 
close friend and constituent. Mr. Marsh is the Florida chairman of the 
national board of the Boys' Town of Italy as well as its tireless 
advocate. It is through his commitment that I have become familiar with 
the Boys' Town of Italy and how I come to pay tribute to the 
humanitarian efforts of Msgr. John Patrick Carroll-Abbing and this 
years Boys' Town honorees.
  The monsignor's work has spanned the course of the last half-century 
and has served to establish and preserve the Boys' Town of Italy. In 
1945, Monsignor Carroll-Abbing founded his first Boys' Town 45 miles 
from Rome. The purpose of the town was simple, to give orphaned or 
abandoned children a home. The Boys' Towns were run completely by the 
children. They shared in the work responsibilities and learned to 
respect one another.

[[Page E388]]

  The dreams of monsignor Carroll-Abbing have been realized today with 
nine Boys' Towns and one Girls' Town in Italy, all run by the 
monsignor's International Boys' Towns of Italy--the organization which 
he established. Today, orphans in Italy no longer go without homes. 
Besides the towns which he established, the monsignor's organization 
also donates money, clothes, medical care, furniture, and time to 
children in need.
  Today, Monsignor Carroll-Abbing's touch is felt around the world. He 
has extended his aid across seas and continents. The monsignor's Boys' 
Towns have provided homes for hundreds who have suffered due to war, 
famine, and disaster. In addition, the monsignor travels around the 
world to disaster sights to assist in relief efforts on each occasion 
with the help of children.
  Monsignor Carroll-Abbing's major contribution to the world has been 
to give opportunity to a group of forgotten children who would have 
otherwise lacked it. Msgr. John Patrick Carroll-Abbing has served 
humanity throughout his life; whether they be orphans, delinquents, or 
children in need. Monsignor Carroll-Abbing is a man who has touched, 
changed, and saved the lives of thousands of children. For more than 50 
years he has dedicated himself to improving the lives of children. 
Monsignor Carroll-Abbing is a man who should be revered by all, and 
overlooked by none, as one of the greatest humanitarians in history.
  This year the Boys' Towns of Italy are honoring two outstanding 
Italian-Americans for their various achievements and contributions. The 
Boys' Town Entertainer of the Year Award will go to Mr. Dennis Farina. 
Mr. Farina has long been acknowledged as one of Hollywood's busiest 
actors, and has appeared in such hits as ``Get Shorty,'' ``Little Big 
League,'' and ``Striking Distance.''
  The Boys' Town of Italy Man of the Year is Mr. Chuck Curico. Mr. 
Curico at the age of 17 joined the U.S. Marine Corps where he served 
for 3 years. He received the Navy Achievement Medal for his service in 
the Vietnam war. He returned home, married, and graduated from college 
in 1972, the same year he founded Tire Kingdom with a modest investment 
of $150. Tire Kingdom is now America's third largest independent tire 
dealer, and is currently listed as one of Florida's top 50 companies. 
Believing strongly in giving something back to his community, Mr. 
Curico has been actively involved in community service projects such 
as: Homesafe, Junior Achievement, the American Cancer Society, the 
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the March of Dimes, Boys and Girls Clubs, 
and many others. Mr. Curico, with his exemplary and tireless dedication 
to improving the lives of others serves as an illustration of what we 
all should strive to become.

                          ____________________