[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 2 (Thursday, January 7, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E24-E25]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  DESIGNATING THE U.S. NAVY SUPPORT SITE IN NAPLES AS THE ``THOMAS M. 
                        FOGLIETTA SUPPORT SITE''

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. JAMES A. TRAFICANT, JR.

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, January 6, 1999

  Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, today I am reintroducing legislation to 
designate the U.S. Navy facility in Gricignano d'Aversa, Italy, known 
as the Naples Support Site, as the ``Thomas M. Foglietta Support 
Site.'' I introduced similar legislation in the 105th Congress, and I 
am honored to reintroduce this legislation on the first day of the 
106th Congress.
  As you well know, Tom Foglietta had a distinguished career in 
Congress representing the Philadelphia area of Pennsylvania. Last year 
he was appointed our Ambassador to Italy. Ambassador Foglietta's career 
has been dedicated to public service. He served for 20 years on the 
Philadelphia City Council. From 1976 to 1977 he represented the U.S. 
Department of Labor in Pennsylvania. From 1980 to 1998 he represented 
Pennsylvania's First Congressional District.
  During that time Tom Foglietta distinguished himself as a hard 
working and effective legislator. In the 1980s he emerged as one of the 
leading advocates in the Congress of democratic reforms in South Korea. 
As a senior member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Foreign 
Operations he was an outspoken advocate in the 1990s for advancing 
America's role in promoting free markets and democratic institutions in 
the newly independent states of the former Soviet Union.
  In addition to his tireless efforts to ensure the United States 
maintained its stature as the moral and democratic leader of the free 
world, Tom Foglietta never forgot his constituents back home. He always 
maintained close ties to the working people of the district. He was 
always accessible to his constituents and fought hard on their behalf 
in Congress.
  Throughout his congressional career Ambassador Foglietta maintained 
close ties to the land of ancestors--Italy. Many members of the 
Ambassador's large family still reside in Italy. Shortly after his 
election to Congress in 1980, a devastating earthquake struck southern 
Italy. In typical fashion, Tom Foglietta skipped freshman orientation 
and other freshman events in Congress to be in Italy to participate 
personally in the relief efforts.
  While in Congress, Tom took notice of the poor living and working 
conditions for Navy personnel at the Naples Support Site in Gricignano 
d'Aversa. He worked tirelessly as a member of the Appropriations 
Committee to improve conditions for Navy personnel serving at the site. 
Not surprisingly, his efforts were extremely effective and Navy 
personnel have seen a dramatic improvement in the living conditions at 
the site.

[[Page E25]]

  It is only fitting that we name the facility for this fine public 
servant. I urge all of my colleagues to support this legislation.

                          ____________________