[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 102 (Thursday, July 17, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1449]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN HONOR OF THE SPONSORS OF PROJECT CHILDREN '97: LOCAL MESSENGERS OF 
                                 PEACE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROBERT MENENDEZ

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 17, 1997

  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a unique 
group of people, the sponsors of Project Children '97 who have 
distinguished themselves with unwavering dedication to the promotion of 
peace in Northern Ireland. Through their generous spirit of compassion, 
the Project Children '97 sponsors exemplify the best that we as 
Americans have to offer: reverence for the rights and freedom of the 
individual citizens. For 22 years caring American families have 
welcomed children from Northern Ireland into their homes and hearts for 
6 weeks during what is traditionally the most violent time of year in 
the children's homeland.
  One year ago, the children who came to visit us from Northern Ireland 
faced an uncertain future. The cherished cease-fire, in effect for 18 
months, had been shattered by a new round of violence. Though the past 
year has seen a continuation of the troubles, British Prime Minister 
Tony Blair's inclusion of Sinn Fein in peace talks, along with the 
cancellation of four of Northern Ireland's Orange Order parades are 
hopeful signs that we will soon see a return to a lasting ceasefire. 
This makes the time shared by the 56 families and 61 children 
participating in Project Children '97 even more valuable.
  This year, the 56 families from my home State of New Jersey who have 
been so generous as to open their homes and their lives to these young 
people include: Kourosh and Rosemary Akhavan, Len and Kathy Ancuta, 
Sean and Beatris Ashe, Garry and Janet Baker, Gary and Linda Bardzell, 
Charles and June Bray, Michael and Elizabeth Cancian, Kevin and 
Patricia Comer, Robert and Barbara Comito, James and Patti Cunningham, 
Philip and Kathleen DiCicco, Donald and Irene Diverio, Robert And 
Brianna Donohue, Al and Ellen Dorso, Peter and Robin DuHaine, Brent and 
Lauren Elliot, Rick and Arlene Faustini, Raymond and Rosemary Ferraro, 
Robert and Elizabeth Gamble, Margaret Gilsenan, Michael and Pat 
Goodwin, William and Margaret Giaimo/Terry, Edward and Patricia 
Grzybowski, George and Margaret Hughes, Edwin and Patricia Jankowski, 
Nicholas and Patricia Kaminsky, Keith and Karen Kirby, Robert And Donna 
Lee, Michael and Kathleen McBride, John and Louise McGlinchey, Brian 
and Lori McGorty, Robert and Dyan Moore, Robert and Carole Nyman, Sean 
and Anne O'Neill, Kevin and Susan O'Shea, David and Cathleen Quinn, 
Stephen and Jean Revis, John and Lori Rose, James and Mary Ellen 
Ruitenberg, Paul and Candace Ruitenberg III, Donald and Patricia 
Ryerson, Guy and Patti Schweizer, Stephen and Catherine Simpson, 
Michael and Laura Sims, Cheryl Stone, Douglas and Susanna Stroud, James 
and Louise Sweeney, Robert and Denise Thompson, Jr., Michael and Anne 
Tizio, Edward and Judith Wagner, Joseph and Barbara Wells, Craig and 
Barbara Yeske, Anthony and Anita Zak, Rodney and Linda Bialko, and 
Grianna and Donald Wynne.
  The 61 young people from Northern Ireland who we have been fortunate 
enough to visit New Jersey are: David Sterrett, John McIlveen, Alannah 
Massey, Gerald O'Reilly, Lesley Black, Steven Orr, Paul Mahony, Ryan 
Corbett, Kevin Nellins, Elaine Coyle, Charlene McWilliams, Lindsey 
Todd, Eilish Bradley, Joseph McGovern, Claire McKinley, Joseph Doak, 
Eva Taggart Laura Cairns, Linzi Graham, Joseph Gillen, Seamus Nellins, 
Michael Duffy, Catriona McCann, Ita Monaghan, Daniel Lynch, Christine 
Brown, Aislinn Devlin, Stephanie Rae, Aine Hargey, Natalia McKeown, 
Aisling Burns, Seadhna Billings, Dermot Hartigan, Nicola Catney, Leigh 
Martin, Mary Louise Heatley, Clara Mulvenna, Danielle Gorman, Brenda 
Austin, Barry Dobbin, David Goodall, Laura Baird, Paul Willis, 
Catherine Crawford, Sara Doherty, Kerry-Marie McCaugherty, Jennifer 
Dixon, Nicola McCabe, Kenneth Murphy, Marie Martin, Darren Diamond, 
David Diamond, Stephen Coyle, Robert O'Neill, James Moran, Elaine 
Murray, Margaret White, Mary Deery, Natasha McConnell, Michelle 
Donnelly, and Collette McTernan.
  It is an honor to recognize the exceptional compassion of Project 
Children '97's sponsors. I hope that word of their steps toward peace 
will spread throughout Northern Ireland and the world. These exemplary 
individuals are truly local messengers of lasting peace.

                          ____________________