[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 108 (Thursday, August 1, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7884-S7885]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           IN RECOGNITION OF THE LIFE OF ALTON ARA HOVNANIAN

 Mr. TORRICELLI. Mr. President, a promising young life that 
began in New Jersey just 14 years ago was tragically cut short these 
few weeks past in a freak boating accident on my State's otherwise-
beautiful northern shore. Alton Hovnanian only 14 was a rising and 
stellar member of the latest generation of a great and good New Jersey 
family whose legendary hard work in the real estate industry created an 
American business enterprise of remarkable size and stature.
  Now, sadly, in the cruelest alteration of fate, this same good family 
suffers the greatest loss of all, the death of a child. And I would put 
before this Chamber today that this is a shared loss felt within these 
Senate walls not only because this kind of suffering is too great for 
any family to bear alone, but that the untimely death of this young man 
represents the loss of the optimistic spirit and positive energy of a 
young American mind.
  Not preoccupied with self, often characteristic of this age, Alton 
Hovnanian had an interest in and concern for others, a deep interest 
and concern for the workings of the U.S. Government, and perhaps 
surprisingly, for those of us in this room. As a child of only 14, he 
was largely unknown to us, but Alton Hovnanian was a bright, good 
citizen of my State and this country who I am sure many of my 
colleagues would have been delighted and inspired to know. Alton was 
certainly interested in us and knew many of our names, our expertise, 
our committees and concerns. Isn't this an honor for us to now know

[[Page S7885]]

that a 14-year-old New Jersey boy sat before his family room television 
set in Monmouth County and chose to turn the channel, not to a game 
show or sitcom, but to C-Span, the History Channel, and CNN in order to 
learn yet more about us and the work we do. How many young men and 
young women, boys and girls are there today, tuning in, attentive, and 
eager to learn more about this Nation's leadership and work? Unknown to 
us, Alton Hovnanian was watching and I am honored by his attention. If 
any of us wonder why it is we get up in the morning, remember this: 
there are 14-year-olds like Alton watching us, and they care. How 
powerfully inspiring it is for us to remember the reach of the work 
afforded by our office.
  Alton Hovnanian was not a head of state or a captain of industry, 
though he seemed certainly well on his way, as the achievements in his 
young life were many. Indeed, Alton set the standard in his age group. 
With a lifelong love of boating and the water, especially the New 
Jersey coastline near his home, Alton earned the rights and privileges 
of a full captain license and the highest scuba diving accreditation. 
He was the recognized leader in community service outreach efforts at 
the Rumson Country Day School and was voted the ``Most Likely to 
Succeed'' by his peers at that excellent institution at its middle 
school graduation just weeks ago. Having traveled extensively with his 
family throughout much of the world, Alton was comfortable in many 
different nations and maintained an active curiosity about other 
countries, cultures, traditions and cuisine. He brought home, however, 
an ironclad insistence that things be right here at home, with concern 
for the comfort and care of our less fortunate citizens, and in the 
proper order of things within this Nation.
  Alton Hovnanian represented the best of young America. He wanted the 
best for this Nation and for those around him. He was a loving son, a 
good citizen, a student of history and government and a responsible 
leader among his peers. He has honored all of us with his life.
  May we always remember him as his father would, ``Good sailor, brave 
captain, dear friend, let your gentle spirit fill our sails.''

                          ____________________