[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 136 (Friday, September 27, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1754]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 TRIBUTE TO BENJAMIN FRANKLIN CLEVELAND

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD B.H. SOLOMON

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 26, 1996

  Mr. SOLOMON. Mr. Speaker, it is great honor for me to introduce a 
true American hero, Benjamin Franklin Cleveland. Mr. Cleveland, a 
resident of Johnsburg, NY, will soon celebrate his 100th birthday. I am 
proud to call this gentleman one of my constituents.
  Mr. Cleveland is the only living veteran of the First World War 
residing in Johnsburg. I would like to offer my heartfelt appreciation 
for his service to the Nation. In recognition of Mr. Cleveland's 100th 
birthday, the town of Johnsburg, a small town in the 22d Congressional 
District, is throwing a parade in his honor this Saturday, September 
28. I am thrilled that Johnsburg is honoring Mr. Cleveland.
  Mr. Speaker, serving your country is the ultimate sacrifice. It takes 
courage, dedication, perseverance, and above all, love of country. Mr. 
Cleveland has fought to preserve the freedoms many Americans, 
unfortunately, take for granted. You deserve the respect and admiration 
of all Americans.
  The United States must look awfully different to Mr. Cleveland than 
it did in the year of his birth, 1896. In his lifetime, he has seen the 
introduction of air travel, the automobile, radio and television, 
nighttime baseball, and many other advances that have forever altered 
the American landscape.
  Mr. Speaker, the country is different, but not necessarily better in 
all aspects. We have much to learn from members of Mr. Cleveland's 
esteemed generation. The country can draw on the wisdom he obtained in 
his 10 decades of life in the United States. He has a great deal to 
offer our Nation. I sincerely hope our youngsters can display the same 
virtues that Mr. Cleveland has amply demonstrated: duty, honor, 
sacrifice, and love of God and Country.
  Once again, Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Mr. Cleveland on behalf of 
the U.S. Congress for your military service. I hope he has a wonderful 
birthday on October 14, 1996 and pray that he has many more years in 
beautiful upstate New York.
  Living 100 years is a true milestone--Mr. Cleveland has great reason 
to feel proud of his accomplishment.
  God Bless You, Mr. Cleveland. You are in our prayers.

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