[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 7 (Thursday, February 5, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E106-E107]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                PEACE INITIATIVE OF DR. ANTHONY S. LENZO

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 4, 1998

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, I would like to call your attention to a 
noble initiative proposed by Dr. Anthony S. Lenzo of Crown Point, 
Indiana. Dr. Lenzo has toiled selflessly for many years in an attempt 
to designate a ``Weekend of Prayer, Meditation and Thought on the 
Futility of War and the Desperate Need for Peace in the World.'' His 
goal is to have the United States submit his resolution to the United 
Nations. Dr. Lenzo feels that, as a global leader and the chief 
proponent of

[[Page E107]]

peace, the United States should be the country to propose such a 
resolution. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural 
Organization constitution itself reads, ``since wars begin in the minds 
of men, it is in the minds of men that the defenses of peace must be 
constructed.''
  His own words most eloquently express his intentions. According to 
Dr. Lenzo, who recently retired from teaching elementary school and 
from his position as a colonel in the Army Reserves, peace is still a 
possibility: ``With the entire world, together with its political and 
religious leaders, all praying for peace at the same time, marked with 
parades, speeches, dinners, fireworks, and whatever else is necessary 
to make this the most important event of the year, it has to have 
impact on everyone and further the cause of peace.'' Dr. Lenzo 
continues, ``It will be a thankful day when we can once again live in 
peace * * * peace in the world, peace within our nations, peace in our 
neighborhoods, peace on our streets.'' He dismisses claims that this is 
impossible: ``Years ago it was said that it was impossible to find a 
cure for polio, but we did; impossible to find a cure for smallpox, but 
we did; impossible for the Berlin Wall to come down, but it did; 
impossible to overcome Russian communism, but we did! The endless list 
of accomplishments that were once thought to be impossible are now 
realities. Peace in the world can also become a reality.''
  During the course of his campaign, Dr. Lenzo has met with great 
success. Between 1992 and 1994, he received responses from 30 states, 9 
of whom instated a weekend of prayer for peace at his request. He has 
received responses from Boutros Boutros-Ghali, the Pope, and Elizabeth 
Taylor. Nearly all who hear Dr. Lenzo's plea to champion peace commend 
his campaign.
  The last time I called your attention to Dr. Lenzo's initiative, in 
January 1991, we were just four days away from the United Nations' 
deadline for Saddam Hussein to remove his troops from Kuwait. Five days 
after I spoke of Dr. Lenzo's project, we deployed military forces in 
Kuwait. Now, again, we are nearing a stand-off with Iraq. And again, 
Dr. Lenzo works to remind us of the gravity of the actions we 
contemplate. As we negotiate and strategize and consider all our 
options, Dr. Lenzo tells us to keep in sight the end we all seek. His 
suggestion that we step back and remember to whom we are accountable is 
vitally relevant at this time.
  In the words of John Milton, ``Peace hath her victories, no less 
renowned than War,'' and Dr. Lenzo's work is surely one of those 
victories. I admire Dr. Lenzo's insight and encourage all my colleagues 
in the House of Representatives to seriously contemplate his ``Weekend 
of Prayer, Meditation and Thought.''

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