[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 55 (Thursday, April 25, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E652-E653]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING THE WESTMORELAND VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT

                                 ______


                            HON. BART GORDON

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 25, 1996

  Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, I am taking this opportunity to applaud the 
invaluable services provided by the Westmoreland Volunteer Fire 
Department. These brave, civic minded people give freely of their time 
so that we may all feel safer at night.
  Few realize the depth of training and hard work that goes into being 
a volunteer firefighter. To quote one of my local volunteers, ``There 
fireman must have an overwhelming desire to do for others while 
expecting nothing in return.''
  Preparation includes twice-monthly training programs in which they 
have live drills, study the latest videos featuring the latest in 
firefighting tactics, as well as attend seminars where they can obtain 
the knowledge they need to save lives. Within a year of becoming a 
volunteer firefighter, most attend the Tennessee Fire Training School 
in Murfreesboro where they undergo further, intensified training.
  When the residents of my district go to bed at night, they know that 
should disaster strike and their home catch fire, well-trained and 
qualified volunteer fire departments are ready and willing to give so 
graciously and generously of themselves. This peace of mind should not 
be taken for granted.
  By selflessly giving of themselves, they ensure a safer future for us 
all. We owe these volunteer fire departments a debt of gratitude for 
their service and sacrifice.

[[Page E653]]



                               EARTH DAY

                                 ______


                           HON. SAM GEJDENSON

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 25, 1996

  Mr. GEJDENSON. Mr. Speaker, we have just celebrated Earth Day here in 
the United States and, I hope, rededicated ourselves to protecting our 
environment. But at the same time, there are others on this planet 
commemorating the anniversary of an environmental catastrophe.
  I'm speaking of the tenth anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear 
accident. On April 26, in Kiev as well as in many other cities around 
the globe, including many here in the United States, people will gather 
to discuss the aftermath of that accident. But more importantly, they 
will be looking to the future, and not only to seek assurances that 
there will be no more such disasters but to rededicate countries and 
citizens to environmental protection.
  I am particularly proud, Mr. Speaker, to note a most unique and 
important partnership which has developed around the anniversary. The 
Children of Chernobyl Relief Foundation [CCRF], a group based in Short 
Hills, NJ, and Hamden, CT and formed 5 years ago, has already turned 
about $2 million in donations into about $40 million in airlifted 
supplies to the people of Ukraine, most urgently needed 
pharmaceuticals.
  CCRF has now received a large grant from the Monsanto Co. and 
together this charitable organization and this American firm are 
launching on this anniversary a major healthcare initiative for 
children and women in outlaying areas. It will enable CCRF and the 
Ukrainian doctors and hospitals with whom it works to extend vital care 
to people in farm communities. The initiative will have strong focus on 
prenatal care and education for pregnant women.
  So, Mr. Speaker, what we have here is a great model for the other 
groups, other companies, other countries, not just a one-shot, one-day 
commemoration of an environmental disaster but a longer-term commitment 
by an American-based charitable group and an American corporation.
  I might add that our State Department, especially Ambassador Richard 
Morningstar, the Coordinator of Assistance to the CIS, and our United 
States Ambassador in Ukraine, William Miller, have been most 
cooperative in assisting the development of this project.
  Today in Kiev there was an airport event welcoming a United States 
Government airlift of more than $11 million of needed drugs and medical 
equipment. At that event, both Ambassador Morningstar and Ambassador 
Miller as well as high-level Urkrainian officials praised the Monsanto/
CCRF project as a model for companies and charitable organizations 
everywhere and a sign that the Chernobyl commemoration is not just a 1 
day event.

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