[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 20 (Wednesday, March 4, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E280]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO JAMES CALISTER

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BILL PASCRELL, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 4, 1998

  Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I would like to call your attention to Mr. 
James Calister. James was recently honored as one of New Jersey's top 
two student volunteers by the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards 
program. By initiating and supporting programs that promote racial 
harmony, James has set a positive example for his hometown of 
Maplewood, and the residents of the Eighth Congressional District of 
New Jersey.
  James recognized that Maplewood was undergoing a gradual demographic 
change. Once an affluent, white suburb, Maplewood was quickly becoming 
a diverse municipality, consisting of residents from different racial 
and socio-economic backgrounds. James became an instrumental figure in 
creating a peaceful merging of these disparate groups by ensuring that 
the dialogue remained amicable.
  By attending community planning and Board of Education meetings, 
James learned how to influence policy-makers and enlist them in his 
fight against prejudice and racism. He joined the Racial Balance Task 
Force, and won election as Student Council President based on his 
promise to improve relations within his school and community. In 
addition, James spends much of his free time helping to coordinate 
various community and school-wide events, such as Diversity Day and 
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, which help to promote racial harmony.
  On May 2, 1998, James will travel to Washington, D.C. to attend the 
awards ceremony hosted by the Prudential Insurance Company of America 
in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School 
Principles. James will come to our nation's capitol with a well-
deserved and earnest sense of pride in his accomplishments. This year 
alone, more than 11,000 students were considered for his honor.
  Prudential Insurance Company of America, in concert with the National 
Association of Secondary School Principles, created the Prudential 
Spirit of Community Awards in 1995. It was an award created to impress 
upon all youth volunteers that their contributions are both critically 
important and highly valued, and to inspire others to follow their 
example. During its three short years of existence, the program has 
blossomed into the nation's largest youth awards program based solely 
on community service, with more than 30,000 youngsters participating.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join me, the Prudential Insurance Company 
of America, the National Association of Secondary School Principles, 
and the residents of Maplewood as we commend James Calister for his 
dedication to the cause of racial reconciliation.




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