[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 40 (Friday, April 12, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E509-E510]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      CONGRATULATIONS TO VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD ON ``FAMILY NIGHT''

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                           HON. MARGE ROUKEMA

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 11, 2002

  Mrs. ROUKEMA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of an 
extraordinary night that took place in my hometown of Ridgewood, New 
Jersey. On March 26, 2002, the residents of Ridgewood had a ``Family 
Night,'' an evening when everyone was encouraged to set aside after 
school programs and sports, evening meetings, and even homework, in 
order to spend time with their families.
  Families made dinner together, played board games, and watched family 
home videos. Others read books together or did something that most 
families don't do during the busy work week-relax. The evening, called 
``Ridgewood Family Night-Ready, Set, Relax'' was the result of thorough 
planning by 15 residents of Ridgewood. Working with school officials, 
town sports councils, clergy, and community leaders, these 15 
individuals created

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an evening where it was possible for families to sit down and simply 
spend time with one another.
  This doesn't sound like a radical idea, however seven months of 
preparation were required to clear families' schedules--guilt-free. 
Ridgewood is an active community, with outstanding youth programs and 
sports and an involved adult community. However, in our eagerness to 
expose our children to these programs, we all can be accused of over-
scheduling our children, and ourselves. I think this is not only true 
for Ridgewood, but for cities and towns all over the United States. 
Ridgewood's family evening struck a nerve in America, as this town 
event made the news in The Washington Post, the New York Times, and USA 
Today, to name a few. Good Morning America spent time with families on 
that day and CNN featured the event on their show Crossfire. 
Ridgewood's plan to bring families together for just one evening 
resulted in people across the country stopping for a moment and 
reflecting on their own families' activities and commitments.
  Perhaps not every town will be able to create such a successful 
evening as Ridgewood did, however families can create their own 
``Ready, Set, Relax'' nights. I don't believe the Ridgewood community 
could have anticipated the tremendous positive response their evening 
received. I commend the planners of the family night, particularly 
Marcia Marra, Jenny Breining, Carol Williams, Tracy Autera, Doug Fromm, 
Anne Zusy, Wendy Schwehm, Denise Smith, Jenny Given, Donna Olsen, Beth 
BaRoss, Patti Roche, Cynthia Busbee, Adele Hoffmeyer, and Frank 
Sonnenberg. Additionally, I commend the families and members of the 
Ridgewood community for their participation. Their vision has made 
Americans look again at their hectic schedules of baseball games, band 
practice, club meetings, youth groups and music lessons. And hopefully, 
more families will spend an evening together occasionally, or even 
schedule a new event of their weekly calendar--family time.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in congratulating the 
Village of Ridgewood for the example they have set for America by 
taking time out for family. This is a lesson from which we can all 
benefit, in our districts, and in our own families. Thank you 
Ridgewood.

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