[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 145 (Tuesday, November 12, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S10841]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      COMMENDING MR. OTOK BEN-HVAR

 Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. Madam President, I rise today to 
commend and honor New Hampshire resident Mr. Otok Ben-Hvar for his 
achievement in serving his country and spreading the message of 
patriotism and unity in the United States and throughout the world.
  As a retired U.S. Army, 82nd Airborne Division paratrooper, Mr. Ben-
Hvar has served as an ambassador of American goodwill for more than 25 
years. He has traveled throughout the world to deliver toys and 
trinkets to poor, young children, many of whom are victims of war. 
During the Balkan War, Mr. Ben-Hvar spent months in Bosnia and Croatia 
delivering toys, food, clothing and medical supplies to those in need. 
His tireless effort, while on the front lines of battle, earned him 
status as the first American to receive honorary citizenship in 
Croatia. He has been nicknamed ``America's Santa to the World,'' and I 
can think of no more appropriate title to match his kind and heroic 
deeds.
  Mr. Ben-Hvar has returned to embark on a mission to plant America's 
first National Tree. Collecting and using the native soil of every 
American state, territory and commonwealth, as well as Washington, 
D.C., Mr. Ben-Hvar planted and nurtured the seed of his `American 
Tree'. Since its planning in 1999. Mr. Ben-Hvar has escorted the tree, 
a sugar maple, to each of the states and territories from whence its 
soil came--a trip of 103,928 miles, taking close to three years.
  The tree brings with it a great message of national harmony, and has 
been treasured by those who see it. This gesture of patriotism and 
unity from Mr. Ben-Hvar truly deserves to be honored--which is why I am 
sharing his effort with the Senate today, and asking the President to 
respond to his request to have the tree permanently planted on the 
White House lawn. This tree will stand as a testament to the great 
strength and character of our nation.
  My home state of New Hampshire is renowned for its forested beauty. 
However, Mr. Ben-Hvar's tree indeed belongs to the entire United 
States. It is my distinct honor to represent Mr. Otok Ben-Hvar in the 
United States Senate and to recognize him now for his tribute to our 
country.

                          ____________________