[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 97 (Thursday, July 10, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S7224]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO PAUL STAUDENMAIER

 Mr. WELLSTONE. Mr. President, I rise to pay tribute to Paul D. 
Staudenmaier, executive director of the Boys and Girls Club of Duluth, 
MN. On September 13, 1997, he will retire with over 21 years of 
dedicated service.
  Paul's career with the Boys Clubs began in Chicago over 46 years ago. 
In his teens, he was headed for a gang fight, when a member of the 
Chicago Boys Club urged him to come to the area club. He started as a 
games room worker at the former Harper Chicago Boys Club on the south 
side of Chicago and progressed through many different positions in the 
Chicago area clubs. He was program director at the Woodlawn Boys Club, 
unit director at the Lathrop Boys Club on the north side, and unit 
director at the Valentine Boys Club in the old neighborhood of the late 
Mayor Richard J. Daley.
  Paul received his masters degree in education administration with the 
help of a Boys Club Scholarship from New York University. He also 
served in the army in the Korean conflict, married Fran, his wife, and 
had four sons.
  In 1977, when Paul became executive director of the Boys Club of 
Duluth, the club was floundering and needed strong leadership. The club 
had less than $500 in the bank, and over $4,000 in unpaid bills. Housed 
in an old church building, it also needed a new boiler. Through the 
generous efforts of the United Way of Duluth, Paul secured a new boiler 
and from then on, changes occurred for the better.
  By 1980 the club was changing to have memberships for boys and girls. 
It took 10 years before the national organization gave the recognition 
to become the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. Paul's many 
contributions have included helping to form the Help a Boy and Help A 
Girl scholarship which has been a very successful program. In 1982, he 
formed the Mighty-Mites for 4- to 5-year old children, a summer program 
for working mothers and in 1984, the Summer Fun Bunch for children, 
ages 6 to 12 years old. In 1985, he started the Operating Endowment 
Fund which is now the Boys and Girls Club of Duluth Foundation with 
assets of over $400,000.
  One of the highlights of Paul's career came in 1992 when a joint 
partnership was formed with the Duluth school district at the Lincoln 
Park School, located just a few blocks from the club. The Lincoln Park 
neighborhood has a ratio of 70 to 80 percent of single parent families 
and now has become a youth and family center that serves approximately 
800 youth.
  It offers community swimming and gym classes for parents and 
children, and has a computer center for use after school hours for 
youth and parents, and offers many other youth and family programs. The 
program at the Lincoln School has been so successful that the existing 
club will be converted into a full service teen center. Paul's ability 
to look ahead has helped the club to form a strategic planning 
committee. One of its goals is to work with the local school district 
to form more joint ventures at other schools in other areas of the 
city.
  Paul Staudenmaier's contributions over the years are impressive and 
noteworthy, and it is an honor for me to pay tribute to this remarkable 
and dedicated man. As family, friends, and colleagues gather to honor 
Paul on September 13, 1997, I join them in conveying my heartiest 
congratulations.
  It is a privilege for me to join in honoring his distinguished career 
of service to others. As you celebrate this milestone, all the best on 
this occasion and I extend my warmest wishes to Paul for a well-
deserved retirement, filled with continued good health and 
happiness.

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