[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 96 (Friday, July 17, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1342-E1343]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      A TRIBUTE TO MR. JOHN KLINE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. WILLIAM O. LIPINSKI

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 17, 1998

  Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an 
outstanding gentleman from my district, who has dedicated many hours to 
the betterment of his community, Mr. John Kline.
  John Kline, a resident of the Clearing community, has dedicated many 
long hours in the past three years to working in the garden outside the 
Clearing Branch of the Chicago Public Library. The garden holds a 
special significance both to the community and myself because it 
uniquely displays plants and wildflowers native to the region. Mr. 
Kline is dedicated to the betterment of his neighborhood and is 
consistently in tune with the interests of the members of the 
community.
  Mr. Kline's plight to restore native plants and wildflowers to the 
environment stems from his desire to give people an idea of what the 
land looked like when he was young. Mr. Kline cultivates such native 
wildflowers and plants as: wild phlox, white aster, wild strawberries,

[[Page E1343]]

and native violet, the Illinois state flower. Bringing this native 
vegetation back to an environment that is now urban, has not been an 
easy task. For example, Mr. Kline has had to replace the garden's urban 
soil. Mr. Kline has upheld his strong determination to complete his 
vision for the garden, diligently researching native plants and 
remaining patient with the garden. Mr. Kline is growing non-native 
flowers such as tulips to provide some color to the garden, while he is 
waiting for the soil to become rich enough for a complete native 
garden.
  Mr. Kline's hard work and dedication to the 225 square foot library 
garden was featured in a recent article in the Chicago Tribune. Mr. 
Kline has also received the Library Volunteer Recognition Award in 1996 
and 1997 for his hard work and numerous volunteer hours.
  I hope that you will join me in recognizing Mr. John Kline's strong 
dedication to the betterment of the people of his community, as well as 
the land on which they live.

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