[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 116 (Thursday, August 1, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1430-E1431]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            IN HONOR OF THE SPONSORS OF PROJECT CHILDREN '96

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROBERT MENENDEZ

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, August 1, 1996

  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a special 
group of people, the sponsors of Project Children '96 who have 
distinguished themselves with selfless dedication to the promotion of 
peace in Northern Ireland. Project Children is an organization that 
provides young people from the north of Ireland a respite from the 
violence which for too long has been a part of their lives. Through 
their generosity of spirit, the children's sponsors serve as vivid 
illustrations of the best we, as Americans, have to offer: respect for 
individual freedom.
  Last year at this time, the children who came to visit us from 
Northern Ireland had a reason to be optimistic about their future. The 
ceasefire agreement signed in 1994 appeared to be having a positive 
effect on both sides in the ongoing struggle for freedom. 
Unfortunately, the past several months have seen a

[[Page E1431]]

resumption of hostility. This makes the time shared by the 39 host 
families and the 46 children who are participating in Project Children 
'96 even more significant.
  This year, the 39 families from my home State that have been 
kindhearted enough to open their lives to these young people include 
Rodney and Lynda Bialko, Michael and Elizabeth Cancian, Brian and 
Patricia Carmen, Marc and Tina Marie Cleaver, Kevin and Patricia Comer, 
James and Patti Cunningham, Anthony and Marge DeSando, Louis and Nancy 
Dolloway, Al and Ellen Dorso, Arnold and Madeline Fatteross, Rick and 
Arlene Faustini, Ken and Arleen Ferguson, Patrick and Fiona Ferguson, 
David and Patricia Freed, Margaret Gilsenan, Raymond and Isabelle 
Kayal, Timothy and Renee Kelly, James and Iza McCosker-Keane, Michael 
and Doreen Mackin, Michael and Kathleen McBride, Robert and Linda 
McGee, Brian and Lori McGorty, Peter and Nancy Midgley, Robert and Dyan 
Moore, Dennis and Meg O'Brien, Sean and Anne O'Neill, Paul and Julie 
Palminteri, Christopher and Barbara Pickell, John and Lori Rose, Hoby 
and Joyce Stager, Cheryl Stone, James and Louise Sweeney, Glenn and 
Diane Taylor, Michael and Anne Tizlo, Robert and Linda Toth, Joseph and 
Joyce Tricola, Joseph and Barbara Wells, John and Barbara White, and 
Craig and Barbara Yeske.
  The 46 children we are privileged to have visit New Jersey are Denise 
Coyle, David Mahony, Samantha Walker, Dearbhlagh Digney-McCann, Ryan 
Corbett, Elaine Coyle, Daniel Fearon, Shauna Scott, Claire McKinley, 
Lorraine Fitzpatrick, Aisling Leavey, Shauna O'Toole, Laura Deane, 
Krisoffer Gallagher, Laura McCambridge, Aaron McCay, Joseph Doak, 
Jennifer Slavin, Jaime Teresa Coyle, Lisa Beggs, Natalia McKeown, 
Lynsay Martin, Katrina O'Reilly, Seadhna Billings, Brian Anneslay, 
Stephen Connelly, Brigid Fitzsimmons, Karen Barnes, Ciara Doherty, 
Karen Rafferty, Jonathan Magennis, Joseph O'Neill, Barry Dobbin, David 
Goodall, Catrina McQuillan, Charlene Nellins, Kenneth Murphy, Darren 
Diamond, David Diamond, Richard Johnson, Conor Hunter, Claire Dunseath, 
Aine Duffy, Elaine Murray, Shauna O'Hagen, and Eamonn Porter.
  It is an honor to applaud the outstanding benevolence of the Project 
Children '96 sponsors. Their efforts to further the cause of peace will 
serve as a beacon of hope for countless others throughout Northern 
Ireland and the world. These compassionate individuals are truly local 
ambassadors of peace.

                          ____________________