[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 97 (Wednesday, July 17, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1282-E1283]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




TO DESIGNATE THE NEW POST OFFICE IN THE TOWN OF EMERSON, NEW JERSEY AS 
                      THE GARY ALBERO POST OFFICE

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                           HON. MARGE ROUKEMA

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 17, 2002

  Mrs. ROUKEMA. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing a bill to designate 
the new post office in the town of Emerson, New Jersey in the name of a 
man who exemplified our American ideals, Gary Albero. On September 11, 
Gary was killed while conducting the nation's economic business in the 
World Trade Center. A dedicated husband, proud father, and intelligent 
insurance broker, Gary Albero lived his life with a unique perspective. 
As his family explained, ``he could find the extraordinary in the very 
ordinary.'' And although he may have been taken early from this life, 
we have the opportunity today to extend his spirit and legacy beyond 
his friends and family by naming the Emerson Post Office after this 
man.
  Mr. Speaker, when Congress names particular facilities in honor of 
someone, we do it to recognize their outstanding contributions to 
society. Gary's wife, family and friends can best describe the 
contributions he made to their lives, and the community can best 
explain the character and friendliness he brought to the town. I will 
tell of the contribution Gary Albero made to our nation, as a proud 
American.
  That Tuesday in September, Gary went to a meeting in Tower Two as an 
employee of

[[Page E1283]]

Swett & Crawford. As a newly named Vice President, he worked hard to 
provide for his family and create a good life in Emerson, New Jersey. 
Like so many Americans that morning, Gary was dutifully doing his job, 
however what happened next changed the community of Emerson.
  Thousands were killed that day, leaving tremendous voids in their 
communities. Gary was the only individual killed from the tight-knit 
community of Emerson. The terrorists attacked these towers because the 
World Trade Center represented America's democracy, economic 
prosperity, diversity and freedom. Gary embodied these ideals in his 
work and his life.
  Out of this tragedy, our nation has emerged with strength and pride. 
Our spirit is inspired by these stories of brave men and women from 
that day--true American heroes such as Gary Albero. In the naming of 
this post office in Emerson after Gary, we will have his memory and 
inspiration with us for generations. The Gary Albero Post Office will 
represent his spirit, as well as ``the warm courage of national unity'' 
of which Franklin Delano Roosevelt once spoke. We are a nation united, 
now more than ever. And for this we are all tremendously grateful to 
Gary Albero. For a man who loved his family, community and country, his 
death brought his country closer together.
  Emerson, New Jersey is a small family town of just over 7,200 people. 
The council of the Borough of Emerson has requested that I introduce 
legislation to rename their new post office for Gary Albero. I am proud 
to honor Gary and his family with the naming of this postal facility 
with a man who embodied our American values.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in commemorating the life 
of Gary Albero by naming the new facility of the United States Postal 
Service located on Kinderkamack Road in Emerson, New Jersey, as the 
``Gary Albero Post Office Building.''

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