[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 86 (Thursday, June 19, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6014-S6015]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO RON D. ALIANO

 Mr. DODD. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to one of 
the more colorful characters in my home State, Ron D. Aliano, who on 
June 24, 1997, will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the creation of 
his first business in Norwich, CT.
  Ron is renowned throughout my State for his positive attitude and his 
determination to tap the potential that he saw in the town of Norwich. 
He challenged Norwich residents to commit themselves to the 
revitalization of their hometown, and he is one of the leaders of this 
community's urban renewal.
  Ron Aliano is a man who believes that you can achieve any goal 
through commitment and hard work. He is also an ardent believer in the 
theory that, ``if you're going to do something, you do it right.'' The 
best illustration of Ron's commitment to doing a task first rate would 
be the Marina at American Wharf.
  For years, people talked about developing the Norwich waterfront, but 
these plans never amounted to anything more than talk. But Ron Aliano 
was the man who had the determination to make this project come to 
fruition. Before construction began on the Marina at American Wharf, 
Ron visited 86 successful marinas around the country to see what 
worked, and he tried to incorporate the best elements of each into his 
project. Today, boaters from Vermont, Massachusetts, New York, Rhode 
Island, and all over Connecticut have rented slips in Norwich. Many 
people would argue that American Wharf is the nicest marina in New 
England, and it is the central spoke in Norwich's revitalization 
efforts.
  Another, more unique illustration of Ron's commitment to doing things 
first rate would be the miniature golf course that Ron constructed in 
downtown Norwich. Instead of windmills and plastic dinosaurs, this 
course is lined with waterfalls and finely manicured gardens. It even 
has a volcano, a claim that very few miniature golf courses can make. 
This course has attracted people to the downtown area, stimulating the 
Norwich economy.
  While Ron has worked diligently to develop Norwich, he also 
recognizes the fact that Norwich's strength lies in its history and 
tradition. As a result, he is deeply committed to preserving the town's 
rich heritage. In a misguided effort, certain developers uprooted 
cobblestone streets and destroyed several 19th century homes in 
Norwich, replacing them with a parking garage. In addition, many other 
deteriorating old buildings were in danger of being demolished. 
Fortunately, Ron Aliano and other members of the private sector 
invested substantial resources to purchase and renovate these old 
buildings, and Norwich is currently home to more significant historic 
buildings than any other city in Connecticut.
  Although Ron has been associated with a number of high profile 
projects in Norwich, his first business priority has always been his 
ambulance service, which will be 25 years old next Tuesday. Ron's 
ambulance service has enjoyed a dramatic evolution since its birth. Ron 
founded the company with a business partner, but, in 1981, he became 
the sole owner of the company and changed its name to American 
Ambulance Service. While the company started with only two used 
ambulances, Ron now operates a fleet of 21 ambulances, nine invalid 
coaches, two paramedic response vehicles, one watercraft ambulance, as 
well as numerous administrative and support vehicles. American 
Ambulance has provided ambulance coverage to U.S. Presidents, and this 
business continues to offer the highest quality care to Connecticut 
citizens.
  What makes Ron Aliano's passion for Norwich so unusual is that he is 
not a native son. Ron is actually from Bristol, Connecticut, and he 
didn't move to Norwich until he started American

[[Page S6015]]

Ambulance Service in 1972. Therefore, as Ron Aliano celebrates the 25th 
anniversary of his oldest business, I think it is only appropriate that 
the town of Norwich, which once named Ron Aliano as their ``Citizen of 
the Year,'' should celebrate the day when Ron became one of its 
own.

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