[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 104 (Wednesday, July 29, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1463]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


              A TRIBUTE TO THOMAS K. CULLEN OF LONG ISLAND

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL P. FORBES

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 29, 1998

  Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in this historic chamber to pay 
tribute to Thomas K. Cullen of Bellport, Long Island. As the President 
of the Board of Directors and Chairman of the Fundraising Committee for 
Little Flower Family Services, Tom Cullen has worked tirelessly and 
given so much of his own time, talents and resources so that the most 
vulnerable members of our Long Island community, the young children who 
have lost their parents, will receive the care and education they need 
to succeed in life.
  This Friday evening, Tom Cullen will be honored by Little Flower 
Family Services with the ``Children's Hope Award'' for his seemingly 
tireless efforts on behalf of orphaned children. I ask my colleagues 
here in the People's House to join that chorus of praise from the 
Little Flower family, and it is truly a family in every sense of the 
word.
  No organization is more deserving of Tom Cullen's good work than 
Little Flower Family Services. Over the past seven decades, Little 
Flower has given shelter to orphaned youngsters of all races, ages and 
religions from throughout Long Island and New York City. Under 
Monsignor John Fagan's leadership, Little Flower is dedicated to 
finding loving, nurturing families for the children in his care. Until 
that time when each child is placed in a caring and supporting home, 
Little Flower is their family.
  Tom Cullen's commitment to providing the children of Little Flower 
the familial love and support every child deserves is deeply rooted in 
his own strong sense of family. Cullen is the name behind the King 
Kullen Grocery Company, Long Island's own supermarket. Carrying on the 
work ethic practiced by his grandfather--company founder Michael J. 
Cullen--Tom learned the grocery business working his way up through 
several stores, and now serves as Vice President of Government and 
Industry Relations.
  Tom's commitment to Little Flower began with his parents, James and 
Florence Cullen, who encouraged their children to reach out and help 
Monsignor Fagan and his Little Flower staff rescue those children who 
are alone in this world. In 1982, Tom and his brothers James and Brian 
started the ``James A. Cullen Memorial Golf and Tennis Outing'' to 
raise funds for Little Flower's mission. In 15 years, this annual event 
has raised $1.5 million for Little Flower's Adoption Program and the 
Residential Treatment Center in Wading River, Long Island. They have 
also initiated the Cullen Family Scholarship Program that has made it 
possible for nearly 100 Little Flower children to pursue their college 
education.
  And so Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the U.S. House of 
Representatives to join me and the Little Flower family in honoring Tom 
Cullen for his invaluable contributions of time, talents and hard work. 
Though their young lives have often seen tragedy and heartbreak, the 
children of Little Flower are truly blessed to have a guardian angel 
like Tom Cullen working for them.

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