[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 64 (Friday, April 20, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E814-E815]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     CONGRATULATING THE VILLAGE OF SOUTH CHICAGO HEIGHTS, ILLINOIS

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. JESSE L. JACKSON, JR.

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 20, 2007

  Mr. JACKSON of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate 
the Village of South Chicago Heights, Illinois on their Centennial 
Celebration. On its founding day, March 7, 1907, 150 citizens of Hannah 
and Keeney Subdivision voted to incorporate as the Village of South 
Chicago Heights.
  The first permanent settlers in the area, Adam and Phoebe Brown of 
Ohio, built a home and opened a general store some 74 years earlier at 
the intersection of Sauk Trail and the old Hubbard Trail. ``Brown's 
Corner'' became a busy crossroads, first allegedly for the Underground 
Railroad, then later for wagons, stagecoaches, railroads, and 
automobiles.
  One year after incorporating, the residents worked together to build 
the village's first school, the U.S. Grant School. As the village grew 
so did the budget and city services. The first year's budget was 
$3,800, which was met by property taxes and three saloon licenses at 
$500 each.
  In its early days the village steadily grew as immigrants of Italian, 
Polish, German and other ancestries moved here to work in nearby 
factories, railroads, and local businesses. South Chicago Heights is 
still home to many of these families and businesses.
  The village has had only 12 mayors in 100 years, including the 
Honorable David Owen, who has served as mayor since 1989. Mayor Owen 
has officially declared South Chicago Heights as a good place to live, 
to work, and to raise a family; and the Centennial gives all 4,000 
citizens a special opportunity to take pride in our history and to 
celebrate our heritage. On May 7, 2007, during the Founders Day 
program, the Village will dedicate a new Village Clock to start the 
next 100 years.
  I am proud to represent the Village of South Chicago Heights and I 
congratulate them on 100 years of service and I look forward to future 
celebrations.

    HONORING GEORGE TORNEY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, PYRAMID ALTERNATIVES

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TOM LANTOS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 20, 2007

  Mr. LANTOS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor George Torney, who 
became the Executive Director of Pyramid Alternatives in the City of 
Pacifica on August 6, 1976, and has served San Mateo County for 31 
years. Under his leadership and guidance, Pyramid expanded its horizons 
beyond alcohol to recognize addictive personalities as they relate to 
all substance abuse. Pyramid now frequently collaborates with the San 
Mateo County Health Department to address links between substance abuse 
and mental illness.
  Although George Torney's work with Pyramid began in Pacifica, the 
organization itself has since branched out into nine school districts 
and serves the entire San Mateo County community through seven offices, 
offering services in five languages. Pyramid has offered a wide range 
of counseling and education in the fields of: substance abuse, domestic 
violence, anger, management, first and multiple drinking driver 
programs, parenting Issues and senior adult Services.
  Madam Speaker, Pyramid has become an essential partner in the Bridges 
Program, an intensive alcohol and drug day treatment program for men 
and women operated by San Mateo County Adult Probation, Superior Court 
and the County Sheriff. This exceptional program helps non-violent 
offenders transition back into their families and the community.
  Madam Speaker, after three decades of dedicated service, George 
Torney is retiring and Janeen Smith is assuming the Executive

[[Page E815]]

Director role of Pyramid Alternatives. It is with great respect and 
deepest appreciation that I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing 
George Torney and Pyramid Alternatives.

                          ____________________