[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 137 (Saturday, September 28, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1775]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




[[Page E1775]]



                              NEIGHBOR DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JACK REED

                            of rhode island

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 27, 1996

  Mr. REED. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge my colleagues to support 
measures in their States to designate the Sunday before the Memorial 
Day Weekend each year as ``Neighbor Day.''
  The neighborhoods we once knew as places of peace and harmony are now 
engaged in the fight against a rising tide of crime and violence. One 
of the saddest results of this increasing crime is that neighbors fear 
for their safety and become alienated from one another.
  Four years ago, my constituents in Westerly, RI, came up with the 
idea of celebrating ``Neighbor Day'' as a way to reach out to one 
another, introduce themselves to new neighbors and renew old 
friendships. With parties and open house gatherings, Neighbor Day in 
Westerly gave people a sense of neighborhood pride and positive 
community spirit. Two years ago, the entire State celebrated this 
spirit of good will.
  I believe that by celebrating ``Neighbor Day'' nationally, we can 
bring people closer together and overcome the atmosphere of fear and 
mistrust found too often in our neighborhoods. This effort is not 
solely confined to Rhode Island. Indeed, Boys Nation passed a 
resolution in July 1994 to make the Sunday before Memorial Day weekend 
each year ``National Neighbor Day.''
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in this unique endeavor 
by supporting measures to create ``Neighbor Day'' in their States.

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