[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 136 (Friday, September 27, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1767]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO RAYMOND SAVEL

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BUD SHUSTER

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 27, 1996

  Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a hard-
working Pennsylvanian who has endlessly devoted his time and energy to 
a noble cause. Raymond Savel has been president for 20 years of the 
Mosquito Creek Sportsmen's Association located in Frenchville, PA. The 
mission of this organization was described by a member, as well as a 
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission official, as being, ``dedicated 
to conservation, sporting ethics, education, and accountability of our 
natural heritage.''
  The Mosquito Creek Sportsmen's Association began as a small club in 
1946. The stage was set after World War II to look ahead for a brighter 
future after 4 years of sacrifice, struggle, and global mayhem. A town 
meeting in Frenchville was called on May 26, 1946, and 40 sportsmen 
from the area attended the first meeting to discuss setting up a club 
that would serve the area and pay tribute to their most esteemed and 
valued outdoor sports: hunting, trapping, fishing, and other related 
outdoor activities. A club charter was signed by the new members and 
the organization was named after the premier trout stream in the area 
at the time, Mosquito Creek.
  By 1976, after 30 years of existence, the club had grown to 650 
members. In the year of our Nation's bicentennial, Ray Savel took over 
as president of the club. Under Savel's leadership the organization's 
number has grown to an incredible 5,016 members today. However, the 
success of Mosquito Creek is truly measured in their accomplishments 
thus far.
  Clearfield County and the surrounding area is a better place to live 
because of President Savel's and Mosquito Creek's efforts. For 20 
years, Ray Savel has organized massive cleanups, annual rallies for 
support and education of the surrounding area, letter writing 
campaigns, and newsletters. Also they perform activities such as 
stocking lakes and steams, fishing derbies, hunting events and safety, 
and just about every other outdoor sports activity.
  Perhaps one of the greatest accomplishments by Mosquito Creek and 
President Savel has been their tireless efforts to save and preserve 
one of Pennsylvania's most pristine wildlife areas, the Quehanna Wild 
Area. Thanks to Ray and Mosquito Creek, the wild area has been 
preserved and nearly restored to its original State.
  Mr. Speaker, I will close by once again thanking Ray Savel for his 
outstanding service to the area in which he lives. President Savel is a 
true community leader and his continuous efforts are a testament to his 
firm commitment to the sportsmen of Pennsylvania.

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