[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 136 (Friday, September 27, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S11569]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO JEREMY MARKS-PELTZ

 Mr. MACK. Mr. President, every day Americans are exposed to 
much of what is wrong with America and not enough about what is good 
and right across our Nation and in our communities.
  It is in that light that I rise today to speak about a young man in 
Florida whose compassion and humanity should serve as a reminder to all 
of us that there is much about America that is good and right--12 year 
old Jeremy Marks-Peltz of Kendall, FL.
  Last year Jeremy was on a boat tour in south Florida and saw the 
unfortunate plight of homeless people living in cardboard boxes. He 
decided he wanted to help them, and began organizing a food, clothes 
and furniture drive for some of south Florida's homeless charities.
  Jeremy went to Bloomingdale's in Miami seeking assistance for his 
charity drive; they decided to help. Bloomingdale's recently wrote me 
about Jeremy's efforts and why they got involved.

       We receive hundreds of requests from charities for 
     donations through letters, but this was the first time I was 
     face to face with a twelve year old boy wanting to help the 
     needy. It was touching and in a society that some times only 
     remembers the needy during the holidays, it was refreshing.

  With Bloomingdale's assistance. Jeremy's desire to make a difference 
in his community has resulted in a full-scale campaign called, Making a 
World of Difference, which will run through the year. The campaign, 
which began in February, consists of an appeal to all of Bloomingdale's 
customers for donations for the needy, including food, clothing and 
furniture.
  Over the years I have said many times that individuals must play a 
greater role in the fight to make our communities safer, more 
prosperous, and simply better places for all of us to live. Jeremy's 
work to make south Florida a better place for all its residents to live 
exemplifies that ideal.
  John Randolph once wrote, ``Life is not so important as the duties of 
life.'' Only 12 years old, Jeremy Marks-Peltz has already learned this 
lesson well. His compassion, commitment, and understanding of what is 
genuinely important in this world are truly shining examples for all of 
us.

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