[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 127 (Monday, September 27, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1966]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


  HONORING JOHN BOLAND FOR HIS EFFORTS ON BEHALF OF THE QUINEBAUG AND 
           SHETUCKET RIVERS VALLEY NATIONAL HERITAGE CORRIDOR

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                           HON. SAM GEJDENSON

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 27, 1999

  Mr. GEJDENSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor John Boland of 
Pomfret, Connecticut for his tireless and successful efforts to develop 
and grow the Quinebaug and Shetucket Rivers Valley National Heritage 
Corridor. As residents across eastern Connecticut mark the fifth 
anniversary of the establishment of the Corridor, John Boland deserves 
much of the credit for the success we all celebrate.
  John was one of the leaders of a small group of citizens from eastern 
Connecticut who came together in the late 1980s with an idea to 
preserve and promote the natural, cultural and historic resources of 
the region. The group also wanted to follow an approach that would 
center on the major rivers in the area--the Quinebaug in the east and 
the Shetucket in the west--because they are intertwined with that 
history, with a way of life. As an avid canoeist, John also appreciated 
the recreational potential the rivers offered as well as the many 
obstacles to public access and greater enjoyment of these resources. 
After much research and widespread public discussion, the group 
embraced an innovative and largely experimental concept--the National 
Heritage Corridor.
  In 1988, John and others formed the Quinebaug and Shetucket Rivers 
National Heritage Corridor Committee to expand public awareness about 
the concept and to work in support of formally designating the 
Corridor. I am proud to have worked with John, who served as Chairman 
of the Committee, and so many others across the region to develop and 
introduce legislation in the House to achieve this goal. In the fall of 
1994, years of hard work and persistence paid off as Congress passed 
and the President signed the Quinebaug and Shetucket Rivers Valley 
National Heritage Corridor Act.
  Following enactment of the bill, John continued to take a leadership 
role in transforming the Corridor from a concept into reality. He 
helped to develop the framework of the nonprofit corporation--
Quinebaug-Shetucket Heritage Corridor, Inc.--which currently manages 
the Corridor. He served as first Chairman of its Board of Directors and 
continues to be actively involved in many Corridor projects.
  Mr. Speaker, the success of the Quinebaug and Shetucket National 
Heritage Corridor is the result of the efforts of countless residents 
from across eastern Connecticut. However, like so many other successful 
initiatives, a few people play critical leadership roles. John Boland 
has been this type of leader. His vision and hard work have been 
crucial to making the Corridor a reality. I join citizens from across 
eastern Connecticut in saying--thank you John.

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