[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 137 (Monday, October 5, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1902-E1903]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SALUTING THE MEMORY OF SANDY ANDREWS
______
HON. CHARLES H. TAYLOR
of north carolina
in the house of representatives
Monday, October 5, 1998
Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, in 1991, a young woman in
my district, Sandy Andrews, was tragically killed when a train struck
her vehicle at a railroad crossing.
But sometimes, out of such tragedies, come good things.
Sandy Andrews was active in youth sports in North Cove, North
Carolina, where she lived with her husband and three sons. So to honor
her memory, her family donated approximately 10 acres along U.S.
Highway 221 for building a park. With the involvement of the McDowell
County government, many volunteers, and local grant monies, that park
was built.
On Saturday, September 12, 1998, the Sandy Andrews Memorial Park was
opened, providing a ball field with dugouts, a playground, basketball
court, and a volleyball court.
In this day when so many senseless tragedies occur, the building of
this park is a tribute to both the memory of Sandy Andrews, and the
resolution of her family and her community to honor her memory.
It is an honor to share the story of that tribute with my colleagues
today.
[From the McDowell News, Sept. 14, 1998]
Family Hopes Memorial Park Will Benefit County's Children
(By Ragan Robinson)
A host of North Cove residents and county officials were on
hand for the dedications of the Sandy Andrews Memorial Park
Saturday morning.
Approximately 10 acres of land located on U.S. 221 North
was donated for the park by Roger, Tom and Louis Andrews.
[[Page E1903]]
The county put up funds, enlisted volunteer and inmate
labor and received grant money to add the ballfield, dugout,
playground. basketball court and volleyball court.
It was named after Roger Andrews' late wife, Sandy, who was
killed in 1991 when a train hit her vehicle at a nearby
railroad crossing.
``This could not have happened without the generosity of
the Andrews family,'' said Commission Chairman Butch Hogan
during the dedication.
Sandy Andrews would have been very excited to see the park
finished, according to her family.
She was involved in youth sports in the North Cove
community, where she and her husband lived.
``It's a great tribute to a great woman,'' said Hogan.
Ben McCall, president of North Cove Youth Activities, spoke
to the group, saying that area residents are proud of their
community and of their children.
``America will hopefully return to a lot of the things
North Cove never left,'' he noted. ``Ours are good kids and
they're worth our effort. This is only a portion of what we
should do for them.''
He also praised the hard work many in the community had put
into making the park a reality, adding that Roger Andrews had
spent many long, hot days laboring to get it finished.
Roger Andrews acknowledged the effort so many had made and
said watching the park benefit local children would be all
the reward he and his family wanted for their investment.
After introducing Sandy Andrews' three sons, Benji, Brian
and Lee, he read a chapter from Corinthians which he said had
been his late wife's favorite.
She always had tremendous amount of patience, he said, and
possessed the ability to endure ad great deal without
complaint.
``Charity, which Sandy possessed such a great measure of,
is the only thing that exists beyond the grave,'' he said.
``We got this done with the inspiration she left with us.''
After the dedication, organizers held a potato sack rack, a
three-legged race, a wheel-barrow race and an egg and spoon
race.
There was also youth softball, volleyball, soccer,
basketball and softball for the visitors.
____
[From the McDowell News, Sept. 15, 1998]
Park a Tribute to Both Andrews and Community
The Sandy Andrews Memorial Park in North Cove is a triumph
born of tragedy.
Sandy Andrews, a wife and mother who was active in her
community, died in 1991 when a train struck her vehicle at a
railroad crossing. The Andrews family donated 10 acres of
land off U.S. 221 for a recreation park that would help keep
Sandy's memory alive and provide a much needed place in North
Cove for people to come together for fun and fellowship.
On Saturday, county officials, community leaders, members
of the Andrews family and residents of North Cove helped
dedicate that park.
``This could not have happened without the generosity of
the Andrews family,'' said County Commission Chairman Butch
Hogan.
And it could not have happened without a joint effort
between the community and local government.
The park is an example of what can be done through
cooperation. While the red tape and bureaucracy inherent to
government can often be frustrating, this is one time when
all the pieces came together.
The county earmarked money for the park, secured grants to
help with its development and coordinated with the state to
provide inmate labor for the project. Roger Andrews, husband
of Sandy, spent a great deal of time along with many other
members of the community helping with its development.
The park is an asset to North Cove and it stands as a
tribute to a good woman, a generous family and a caring
community.
____________________