[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 142 (Tuesday, October 19, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2131]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ITALIAN CEMETERY AND MAUSOLEUM OF COLMA, 
                               CALIFORNIA

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                            HON. TOM LANTOS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 19, 1999

  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to bring to the attention of my 
colleagues the 100th Anniversary of the Italian Cemetery and Mausoleum 
of Colma, California. This institution has made a significant 
contribution to the Italian-American community of the Bay Area, and I 
want to recognize the institution and pay tribute on this centennial 
observance.
  The Italian Cemetery serves as dignified resting place for Italian-
Americans. To date, some 50,000 individuals have been laid to rest in 
this beautiful location, and many of these are prominent Italian 
Americans who have played a leading role in the growth and progress of 
our area.
  Mr. Speaker, the Italian Cemetery is not only a distinguished burial 
ground, but it is also a place of beauty to which the entire Bay Area 
looks with pride. The cemetery contains some of the most beautiful and 
architecturally acclaimed mausoleums that have been built throughout 
our entire nation.
  The Italian Cemetery was first used in 1899, one year after it was 
established by La Societa Italiana Di Mutua Beneficenza, the oldest 
continuous Italian organization in the United States. After more than 
75 years of service to the community, the Italian Cemetery became a 
nonprofit corporation, with the goal of maintaining the cemetery for 
future generations.
  The Italian Cemetery's service to the Italian community of California 
is commendable and deserves our recognition and commendation. I would 
like to invite my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Italian 
Cemetery and Mausoleum on its 100th anniversary.

        COMMEMORATION OF ROBERT H. GODDARD'S ``ANNIVERSARY DAY''

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES P. McGOVERN

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 19, 1999

  Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in commemoration of Robert H. 
Goddard's self-proclaimed ``Anniversary Day.'' Robert Hutchings 
Goddard, referred to as the ``Father of Modern Rocketry,'' was born in 
Worcester, Massachusetts, in 1882, graduated from South High School in 
1904, and attended Worcester Polytechnic Institute in 1908.
  In 1911, Goddard received his doctorate at Clark University and 
subsequently became a professor of physics there. Through 
experimentation, Goddard discovered that liquid fuel was more efficient 
than solid fuel. Soon thereafter, in 1926 he successfully launched the 
world's first liquid fuel rocket in Auburn, Massachusetts, a feat 
comparable in history to that of the Wright brothers' flight at Kitty 
Hawk. Goddard is also credited with learning how to control rocket 
flight, and equipping rockets with parachutes so that they could land 
safely.
  October 19, 1999 marks the 100th anniversary of an event that gave 
purpose to Goddard's life. On October 19, 1899, at the age of 17, he 
climbed a cherry tree in his Worcester backyard and experienced a 
vision of space travel that would consume him for the rest of his life. 
This resolve was noted in his diary each year thereafter as 
``Anniversary Day,'' in memory of the day that focused his purpose in 
life.
  Mr. Goddard, himself, was quoted as saying ``the dream of yesterday 
is the hope of today and the reality of tomorrow.'' I urge all my 
colleagues to join me in recognizing this ideal, and Robert H. Goddard 
as the ``Father of Modern Rocketry.''

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