[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 56 (Monday, May 5, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E837-E838]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  IN HONOR OF OFFICER ANTONIO NARDINI AND HIS FELLOW POLICE OFFICERS: 
 MAKING A DIFFERENCE EVERY DAY IN THE LIVES OF THE RESIDENTS OF BAYONNE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROBERT MENENDEZ

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 5, 1997

  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to a truly special 
gentleman, Police Officer Antonio Nardini of Bayonne, NJ. Officer 
Nardini's extraordinary efforts will be recognized during the 1997 Make 
a Difference Day Awards ceremony in Arlington, VA.
  The awards presentation will celebrate the contributions of 11 unique 
individuals--including Officer Nardini--chosen from more than 1 million 
people, from all over the Nation, who participated in USA Today's Make 
a Difference Day on October 26, 1996. Anyone who knows Officer Nardini 
is not surprised that he would be included in this elite group. His 
work as a Drug Abuse Resistance Education [DARE] Officer has positively 
affected the lives of countless young people in Bayonne. When the idea 
for this ambitious hunger reduction project came to Officer Nardini, 
local school-children were naturally inspired to pitch in and make a 
difference themselves.
  The road which has led Officer Nardini to this special acknowledgment 
began on 23d Street in his hometown of Bayonne where he witnessed 
numerous people awaiting food distributions outside a local church. 
Upon closer inspection, Officer Nardini surmised that there were indeed 
a number of community food pantries struggling to provide for their 
needy constituencies. This dire situation was a call to action for 
Officer Nardini and his fellow officers to volunteer their time to help 
ease the situation. They promptly installed a collection bin in their 
precinct, setting the example which many then followed, including city 
hall, the housing authority, senior citizens complexes, and every 
library in town.
  USA Today Weekend held its annual Make a Difference Day October 26, 
1996. With Thanksgiving less than a month away, it gave people an 
opportunity to give thanks for all they have by helping others in need. 
On that morning, 7,500 children from 17 local elementary schools, along 
with other volunteers from corporate, union, and civic groups, took up 
the challenge of helping those less fortunate than themselves. They 
joined Officer Nardini and his fellow officers going door to door, 
collecting food donations that were loaded onto trucks which were 
donated by the city of Bayonne. At day's end, 22 trucks were brimming 
with donations, and helped save the Thanksgiving holiday for many 
families in need. Some of the day's harvest was distributed to food 
pantries in the community, to help them with their good work.

[[Page E838]]

  It is an honor to have an exceptional person like Officer Antonio 
Nardini residing in my district. He exemplifies the true meaning of 
community service. I am certain my colleagues will join me in 
recognition of this remarkable gentleman.

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