[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 33 (Wednesday, March 22, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E386-E387]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       HONORING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BELLE-SCOTT COMMITTEE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JERRY F. COSTELLO

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 22, 2000

  Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, today I ask my colleagues to join me in 
honoring the 50th anniversary of the Belle-Scott Committee of 
Belleville and Scott Air Force Base, IL.
  The Belle-Scott Committee evolved from the ``Belleville Plan'' which 
was created in 1950 by then Belleville mayor, H.V. Calhoun, Maj. Gen. 
Robert Harper, commander of the Air Training Command at Scott Air Force 
Base and Col. George W. Pardy, Scott's commanding officer.
  The ``Belleville Plan'' was announced at the First ``G.I. Pal 
Dinner'' which was held on November 29, 1950, at the U.S.O. Canteen in 
Belleville, IL. This committee, which has been in continuous existence 
since that time, offers a direct means by which the two communities, 
military and civilian, work together to promote matters of mutual 
interest.
  Military and civilian representatives meet on a monthly basis to 
discuss cooperative social, recreational and cultural efforts between 
Scott Air Force Base and the city of Belleville, IL.

[[Page E387]]

The group works toward more cooperative active participation in 
religious and educational programs and also fosters a closer working 
relationships between both Belleville and Scott's governmental 
operations.
  The Belle-Scott Committee arose from the need to address community 
and base relationships in the late 40's and early 50's. Media reports 
at that time, which indicated that local military personnel were 
treated as second class citizens, paying higher prices than normal and 
unable to secure appropriate housing opportunities were reasons that 
the Belle-Scott Committee came into existence.
  Since then, the Belle-Scott Committee has received national 
recognition. It was featured on the CBS Radio Network's ``The People's 
Act'' series in March 1952, and at least 10 nationally circulated 
magazines have published special features to list their achievements. 
In addition, newspapers throughout the country have also published 
articles dealing with the work of the committee. Several other air 
force bases and their host communities are using ``Belle-Scott'' as a 
guide in developing their efforts. The committee's research leads them 
to believe that they are the oldest military/community cooperation 
committee in continuous existence at any U.S. military installation.
  This year will be the 50th anniversary of the first ``G.I. Pal 
Dinner'' now known as the ``Belle-Scott Enlisted Dinner.'' The event 
brings more than 150 civilians, 50 officers from Scott Air Force Base 
and more than 100 enlisted guests. While the reasons for the formation 
of this committee had initially to do with civilian-military 
cooperation, it is the solving of these problems by persons both from 
the Base and from the city and the 50 years of continuous good 
relationships fostered by the Belle-Scott Committee that we now look to 
with pride.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the service 
of the Belle-Scott Committee and for the assistance it provides in 
fostering the support of our civic and military personnel.

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