[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 138 (Monday, September 30, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S12026]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              COMMEMORATING SAM VOLPENTEST'S 92D BIRTHDAY

 Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I rise today to issue a birthday 
wish to one of the most remarkable people I have had the pleasure to 
work with in these first 4 years of my term: my almost-92-year-old 
friend and mentor, Sam Volpentest.
  For more than three decades, Sam has been working to ensure the 
economic stability of the communities surrounding the Department of 
Energy's Hanford Site in southeast Washington. As a representative of 
the Tri-City Industrial Development Council, he worked closely with 
Senators Magnuson and Jackson to secure funding and projects for 
Hanford as the site has transitioned through various incarnations, from 
helping to win the cold war to cleaning up a nuclear mess to moving 
onto a healthy, stable future. And although these two illustrious 
leaders have passed on, Sam has not let up. He has advised and educated 
a whole new generation of elected leaders about priorities and the 
importance of the Tri-Cities.
  Sam is tireless. He has more energy and enthusiasm than almost 
anybody. People who are half his age would be happy with his energy 
level--I know I would. He puts that energy to good work for Hanford and 
for the numerous charities and organizations he supports. I can think 
of no person who has contributed more time or energy to Hanford's 
workers and communities than Sam Volpentest.
  Mr. President, I want to tell one story to illustrate Sam's dogged 
determination to do the right thing. Early in my Senate tenure, Sam 
shared with me an exciting new venture for Hanford, dubbed HAMMER--the 
Hazardous Materials Management and Emergency Response facility. HAMMER 
was an excellent idea, but a costly one--especially in this budget-
cutting climate. However, with Sam at the helm of the project, this 
important inter-agency, cooperative emergency response program had a 
chance to make the transition from dream to reality.
  In 1994, Sam got word that HAMMER funding was threatened. He called 
my office late one evening and explained how important it was to 
contact Senator Exon, who would be instrumental in saving HAMMER. Sam 
arrived at 7 a.m. and camped on my doorstep, and believe me, anyone who 
has had Sam camp out on their doorstep knows this man can camp. He 
helped me develop a strategy for winning and we worked every hour of 
the day to implement that strategy. In the end, we saved HAMMER.
  Just last year, we broke ground for the extensive HAMMER training 
course. Today, HAMMER--Sam's mission and one of his many dreams--is 
almost constructed. The people not only in his community but across the 
Nation will benefit for years to come for Sam's tenacity and devotion 
to ``camping'' on doorsteps.
  Today, on September 30, Sam Volpentest celebrates his 92d birthday. 
On that day, The Tri-City Herald will publish a list of contributors 
who have given to ``Sam's 92d Birthday Celebration for Charity.'' 
Contributors can give $9.20, $92, $920 or more to the organizing 
committee who will then pass the money on to the Blue Mountain Council 
of the Boy Scouts of America, the Tri-Cities Cancer Center, and 
Washington State University Tri-Cities. This is an excellent way to 
celebrate Sam's continuing charity to his friends and community, and 
will certainly demonstrate the love and affection so many people have 
for this remarkable man.
  Mr. President, I hope all of my colleagues are blessed with people so 
tirelessly devoted to their communities as the people of the Tri-Cities 
and I have in Sam Volpentest. I hope those of you who have the 
privilege of knowing Sam will join me in wishing him a very happy 92d 
birthday, with many more to follow.

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