[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 160 (Thursday, November 13, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2363]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORARY KENNETH E. BEHRING AND FAMILY

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                         HON. ELLEN O. TAUSCHER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 13, 1997

  Mrs. TAUSCHER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to draw attention to an 
inspiring act of citizenship by my constituents, Kenneth E. Behring and 
his family. A week ago, Mr. Behring traveled to Washington to give a 
gift to the Smithsonian Institution; at a time when we have grown 
accustomed to people coming to Washington to ask for favors. Mr. 
Behring and his family have donated $20 million to the Smithsonian's 
National Museum of Natural History to enable it to update its rotunda 
and its mammal hall to 21st century standards. The Behring gift also 
will enable the Smithsonian to set up traveling exhibitions in schools 
and other public places so that Americans who cannot visit Washington 
can experience a little bit of the Smithsonian in their hometown.
  As a young man in Wisconsin, Mr. Behring opened a modest used car 
business in what turned out to be the first step in achieving the 
American dream. Through hard work and creativity, first in the 
automobile business and later as a real estate developed, he achieved 
great wealth. Now, in his own words, he believed it is time to give 
back.
  Mr. Behring delights in telling of his experiences as a world 
traveler. He speaks eloquently of the natural beauty he has witnessed 
in the animal world, and of his desire to help the Smithsonian enable 
others--especially young people--to get at least a small sense of what 
he has seen.
  I believe his generous gift is a noble example that should serve as a 
model for all Americans with the means to do good. I am humbled by this 
generosity and hope that the rest of the House and the American people 
will take note of Mr. Behring's great deed.

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