[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 73 (Tuesday, June 13, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E992]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   CONGRATULATING RAY AND BETTY WELLS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARGE ROUKEMA

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 13, 2000

  Mrs. ROUKEMA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate Ray and Betty Wells 
on their long record of contributions to community service and historic 
preservation in northern New Jersey. The Wells will be recognized this 
weekend as the honorees of the annual Rose Ball at the Hermitage, a 
priceless historic site they have been instrumental in helping preserve 
and restore. This honor has been prompted not only by Ray and Betty's 
activities on behalf of the Hermitage, but by their roles as leading 
members of our community through their church and many civic 
organizations as well. They are outstanding examples of the type of 
people who make Bergen County such a wonderful place to live, work, and 
raise a family.
  Ray and Betty Wells have been active supporters of the Hermitage 
since they chaired the Hunt Breakfast fund-raiser in 1979. Betty has 
served as a trustee of the Friends of the Hermitage, as a docent and on 
a number of related committees. Ray has been a member of the Heritage 
Community Advisory Board and was the architect of the Hermitage 
Education and Conference Center completed last year.
  Built in 1740 in what is now Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ, the Hermitage was the 
home of Theodosia Prevost, who invited George Washington and his 
officers to stay at the estate in July 1778, after the Battle of 
Monmouth. One of Washington's officers, Aaron Burr, became a frequent 
visitor afterward and eventually proposed marriage to the widow. Guests 
at the July 2, 1782, wedding included future President James Monroe, 
Alexander Hamilton, the Marquis de Lafayette, and New Jersey Governor 
William Paterson.
  The Hermitage estate was purchased in 1807 by Dr. Elijah Rosencrantz, 
one of Bergen County's first physicians and an industrialist who built 
a cotton mill on the banks of the Hohokus Brook. Rosencrantz's son, 
Elijah Rosencrantz, Jr., enlarged and improved the original house, 
resulting in the Gothic Revival mansion we see today. The home remained 
in the Rosencrantz family until 1970, when it was bequeathed to the 
State of New Jersey by Mary Elizabeth Rosencrantz upon her death. 
Today, the estate has been restored as a museum by the nonprofit 
Friends of the Hermitage and is a National Historic Landmark. Through 
the Education and Conference Center designed by Ray Wells, the 
Hermitage provides extensive educational services for the public and 
through area schools.
  In addition to their commendable dedication to the Hermitage, Ray and 
Betty have been leaders in a wide variety of community activities. 
Betty has served as an elder, deacon, choir member, Sunday School 
teacher and president of the Women's Guild at the Old Paramus Reformed 
Church. Ray has served as a Sunday School teacher, departmental 
superintendent and member of various building committees during their 
46 years of membership in the church.
  Betty has served as president of the Paramus Junior Woman's Club, the 
Paramus Garden Club, the Stony Lane School Parent-Teacher Organization 
and in several leadership roles with the Paramus Girl Scouts. Ray has 
been active with Rotary International, serving as president of the 
Paramus club. He has also been a member of the Paramus Board of 
Education, served as president of the Paramus Jaycees, a member of the 
Paramus Chamber of Commerce, with the Bergen County museum and as a 
member of the Oradell Planning Board.
  Betty and Ray are the parents of 6 children, have 18 grandchildren 
and 1 great grandchild. They made their home in Oradell.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to 
join me in congratulating this wonderful couple for all they have done 
for their community and for the outstanding example they set for all.

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