[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 19 (Tuesday, March 3, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E266-E267]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        THE AVENUE OF THE PINES

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD B.H. SOLOMON

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 3, 1998

  Mr. SOLOMON. Mr. Speaker, one of the most attractive streets in New 
York State will soon be a virtual monument to the work of one of the 
state's finest companies, Finch, Pruyn & Company, Inc. It's not only 
one of the most famous tree-lined avenues in the Capital District, but 
in my opinion one of the most beautiful in the country. It's the Avenue 
of the Pines in the Saratoga Spa State Park.
  My primary district office is in Saratoga Springs and I always look 
for an excuse to take Avenue of the Pines whenever I visit a 
neighboring community. That's why I'm glad to see that the avenue's 
priceless stand of more than 150 white and red pines is getting such 
attention from a company well-qualified to render it.
  Finch, Pruyn & Company has long been an outstanding corporate 
neighbor in my hometown of Glens Falls. Its president and CEO, Dick 
Carota, is a real up-from-the-ranks kind of guy who knows every job 
description in the company from personal experience. He's a real All-
American success story, and Finch, Pruyn is an All-American kind of 
company, providing not only employment, but a nicer place to live for 
everybody.
  In addition to being a giant in the paper industry, Finch, Pruyn 
directs a nationally-recognized forest management program. In 
partnership with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and 
Historic Preservation, the company will do borings near the site to 
determine the age of the trees. Finch, Pruyn will then conduct further 
research on the effects of vehicular traffic, snow and ice maintenance 
practices, road salt, wildlife, pests, and diseases.
  Four rows of trees were first planted in 1912. Six years later, the 
walkway was widened and paved for use by vehicles. There have been some 
modifications since then, but the avenue remains what it always was, 
one of the most enjoyable stretches of driving in the entire country.
  Mr. Speaker, Finch, Pruyn's scientists are the best, and the people 
of our district can be sure the study will be as thorough as it is 
interesting. Finch, Pruyn was a pioneer in the field of sustainable 
forestry as far back as the last century, and later hired the country's 
best professional foresters. The company is equally advanced in 
protecting the environment. The company has invested more than $100 
million in the last three decades, including $10 million

[[Page E267]]

in a new elemental chlorine-free pulp bleaching system.
  Mr. Speaker, my friend Dick Carota, Finch, Pruyn's president and CEO, 
likes to do a little play on words, attributing the company's success 
to what he calls ``Finch Pride.''
  He and every last employee have a right to be proud. So am I, and so 
is an entire community. I invite you, Mr. Speaker, and every member of 
this body to come on up and visit us any time, to see community and 
corporate cooperation at its finest.

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