[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 20 (Tuesday, February 29, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E196-E197]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                       A SALUTE TO HAROLD TAYLOR

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FORTNEY PETE STARK

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 29, 2000

  Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a good friend 
of mine, Harold Taylor. He is an advocate for all ages who provides 
leadership and inspiration to many in my 13th Congressional District of 
California. Both Harold and his wife, Marie, dedicate a great deal of 
time and effort helping people and organizations in their community.
  Harold's involvement spans a wide variety of activities. He has held 
leadership positions with the Boy and Girl Scouts, the American 
Association of Retired Persons (AARP), and the California Retired 
Teachers Association (CRTA). In addition, Harold has spent over twelve 
years advocating health insurance issues for seniors on the state 
level.
  In his work for the California Retired Teachers, Harold demonstrated 
true leadership in educating and lobbying Members of Congress for a 
correction in the Medicare Part A Hospital buy-in provision, which will 
help thousands of retired teachers obtain affordable health insurance. 
His lobbying and persuasive presentations were the key to several 
hundred million dollars worth of improvements in the program for 
teachers nationwide, and especially those in California.
  Educating and interacting with children has always been a priority 
for Harold. He spent thirty-four years teaching physical education and 
special education classes to elementary school children. Additionally, 
Harold has coached basketball and little league, taught Sunday school, 
acted as a youth group counselor, and has worked with the San Lorenzo 
Community Organizing Committee.
  One of Harold's most recent successes has been his involvement in 
planning a fundraiser

[[Page E197]]

for the Family Emergency Shelter Coalition (FESCO). Two years ago, the 
Volunteer Center announced it would not be holding the annual Human 
Race Walkathon, FESCO's largest fundraiser. Being his usual take-charge 
self, Harold announced that FESCO could do the walkathon on its own, 
and so was born the Shelter Shuffle. Harold's great leadership and 
organizational skills made the Shelter Shuffle FESCO's most successful 
walkathon ever.
  All of Harold's contributions and successes have not gone 
unrecognized over the years. His fame started many years ago when he 
was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame in Chico for basketball and 
track. His dedication to improving and expanding the Boy Scouts in the 
Tres Ranchos area awarded him the Silver Beaver Award, one of 
Scouting's highest honors. Finally, last year, Harold was nominated for 
an award at Hayward's Volunteer Dinner in recognition for his service.
  Harold's love and interest in helping and interacting with others 
continues to be the force behind his dedication and his actions. I ask 
my colleagues to join with me today in recognizing and honoring Harold 
Taylor as a true leader whose example inspires others to work towards a 
greater good in their communities.

                          ____________________