[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 148 (Wednesday, October 31, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1973]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      PAYING TRIBUTE TO ALF EVERS

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                        HON. MAURICE D. HINCHEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 31, 2001

  Mr. HINCHEY. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize the achievements 
and tremendous life work of a dear friend of mine, Mr. Alf Evers of 
Shady, New York. I have known Alf for more than thirty years, working 
with him on environmental and other issues in my district. Alf Evers is 
the pre-eminent historian of the Catskill Region of New York State 
whose writing and passion for storytelling have become part of the rich 
history of our area. As part of this year's New York History Month, I 
am proud to join in saluting Alf's significant contributions to 
furthering New York history.
  Spanning more than seven decades, Alf Evers' professional writing 
career continues today at age ninety-six as Alf completes a history of 
Kingston, New York. He is best known for his ambitious histories, ``The 
Catskills: From Wilderness to Woodstock'' and ``Woodstock: History of 
an American Town,'' as well as ``In Catskill Country: Collected Essays 
on Mountain History, Life and Lore.'' Mr. Evers authored more than 
fifty children's books, which were illustrated by his wife, Helen. 
These books helped bring his deep interest in ecology and nature to 
young people. Alf also served as associate editor of the New York 
Folklore Quarterly and wrote articles for the New York Conservationist.
  Over the years, Alf Evers' imagination and chronicling of the stories 
of the Catskills have inspired people to embrace a sense of place by 
bringing their history to life. An article from several years ago sums 
up the style of Alf's writings: ``Local histories fall into two 
categories: useful, but unreadable, chronicles of train arrivals and 
departures or dates of deeds; or stories that set a reader down in a 
place and transform them into residents. Evers' work is of the latter 
category.'' Alf's writing and scholarship have truly set a high 
standard of excellence for regional history, which he has made 
accessible to generations of readers through his skillful and well-
researched narratives.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to pay tribute to Alf for his tenacity and 
hard work in recording the stories of our past. I appreciate his 
commitment to landscape preservation, nature, and the arts. The wealth 
of knowledge that Alf has shared with readers and residents over many 
years has truly made him a national treasure, and I thank him for his 
great service.

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