[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 21 (Thursday, March 5, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E307-E308]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                RECOGNIZING ZACH FOSTER AND PAUL PLEMONS

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                           HON. BOB SCHAFFER

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 5, 1998

  Mr. BOB SCHAFFER of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
the honesty,

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integrity, and good deeds of two of my constituents in Colorado.
  Early last month, Mr. Zach Foster, a student at Colorado State 
University, along with roommate Paul Plemons, found a bag at a store 
parking lot. Looking in the bag, the two discovered over $500 in cash. 
Doing what many would not have done, they turned the money over to a 
store manager, who then returned it to its rightful owner, Sam Ciocotta 
of Espresso di Cioncotta. They left no name, no address, and no phone 
number. Determined to find them, Cioncotta ran an ad in the local 
paper, and in this way he was able to locate and thank the two young 
men. So moved was Mr. Cioncotta that he offered a reward to the 
individuals who turned in the money.
  Messrs. Foster and Plemons were looking for neither recognition nor 
notoriety. While the two were ultimately rewarded for their honesty, 
they neither expected nor sought any remuneration for their act. They 
turned in the money for one reason, and one reason alone--it was the 
right thing to do. As Plemons said, ``This isn't something that should 
be rewarded.'' Indeed, honesty does not have a price tag, but these two 
young men are worthy of much praise. They truly are a credit both to my 
constituency and to the entire country.
  Mr. Speaker, we are bombarded on a daily basis with stories that tell 
of the lowest common denominator of human behavior. It is so very 
rewarding to hear of actions which illustrate the strong ethics and 
morals that many of us still hold dearly. We must do more to emphasize 
what is right with America especially at a time when we are surrounded 
by reports of what is wrong. Mr. Speaker, Zach Foster and Paul Plemons 
are examples of what is right with America. Please join me in thanking 
them for having the honesty, commitment, and courage to do the right 
thing.

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