[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 155 (Friday, November 7, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2186-E2187]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  CHARLES BLACK: A LIFETIME OF SERVICE

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. RODNEY P. FRELINGHUYSEN

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 5, 1997

  Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to pay tribute to a 
truly outstanding individual, my constituent Charles Black. On November 
6, Charlie's family and many friends and colleagues will honor him upon 
his retirement from General Public Utilities [GPU] after 32 years of 
service to the company. He has left an indelible mark upon Morris 
County, NJ, having devoted countless hours to helping make it one of 
America's finest places to live.
  Charles Black was born in Quakertown, PA, in the fall of 1938. During 
his summers in between college semesters, Charlie worked various jobs, 
from employment as a button setter at a blouse factory to getting his 
first start at a power company in New Jersey. In 1960, perhaps the most 
important year of Charlie's life, he earned his bachelor of arts degree 
in business administration from Gettysburg College. That year, he also 
married the former Joyce Hoffmann, and then began his service with the 
U.S. Air Force.
  Charlie Black's commitment to service started with his commitment to 
duty and honor with the U.S. Air Force. In fact, Charlie continues to 
be active with the U.S. Air Force in the reserve program, as a liaison 
officer commander with the U.S. Air Force Academy, and as chairman of 
my own 11th Congressional District Academy Review Board for prospective 
nominees to our Nation's service academies.
  Starting with Jersey Central Power & Light Co. in 1965, Charlie has 
served as GPU's director of communications since 1983. This position 
made him a visible figure in the community, as GPU serves approximately 
2 million people in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and facilitated the 
beginning of his long-standing service to his community. Over the last 
15 years, it was a rare occasion for me to be at a charitable event in 
Morris County in which Charlie was not involved. He has always been 
there when called upon, and, although, much has been made this year on 
promoting voluntarism, it has been people like Charlie Black has been a 
stalwart of our Nation's volunteer efforts throughout his life.
  Over the years, Charlie Black's name has been synonymous with the 
County College of Morris Foundation, on which he served as a past 
president of the board of directors, so it comes as no surprise that 
the County College of Morris is regarded as one of the finest county 
colleges in the Nation. Charlie also served on the boards of directors 
of the Morris County United Way and the Dope Open Golf Tournament, 
offering a helping hand to those in need.
  Although Charlie has been active on behalf of many wonderful 
organizations, he has been invaluable to me in his commitment to 
promoting and preserving the important mission at the Army Armament 
Research, Development and Engineering Center at Picatinny Arsenal which 
employees 4,000 people in New Jersey. When Picatinny was listed on a 
preliminary list for closure during the 1995 base realignment and 
closure process, I looked to Charlie to be a leader on my Picatinny 
Working Group which was a key element in recognizing the arsenal's 
importance to the region's economy, the identities of surrounding 
communities and promoting the incredible ``smart'' weapons being 
developed by Picatinny's engineers. Charlie was also a founding member 
of the Picatinny defense fund, and served as the organization's vice 
president. His work in getting the Picatinny defense fund established 
ensures that Picatinny Arsenal's mission will continue to be well 
defended in the future.
  Just this past May, Charlie's commitment to Picatinny and the U.S. 
Air Force intertwined when he worked along with Mary Mulholland, as he 
so often did, to plan a luncheon honoring Secretary of the Air Force 
Sheila Widnall after she toured Picatinny Arsenal. Needless to say, 
Charlie and Mary's luncheon for Secretary Widnall was a remarkable 
success. Unfortunately, Charlie could not attend the luncheon because 
he was wearing one of his many hats and had to deliver a speech for GPU 
in New Orleans.
  Mr. Speaker, shortly, Charlie and his wife Joyce Black will be moving 
to Arizona to enjoy life in retirement. But anyone who knows Charlie 
knows that he won't be at rest for too long--he will be contributing to 
the enrichment of his new community in no time. I only hope that the 
State of Arizona knows what an exemplary citizen they are gaining. Good 
luck Charlie and Joyce.

[[Page E2187]]



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