[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 78 (Wednesday, May 20, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1211-E1212]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   TRIBUTE TO THE PASSAIC COUNTY COUNCIL ON ALCHOLISM AND DRUG ABUSE 
                            PREVENTION, INC.

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BILL PASCRELL, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 20, 2009

  Mr. PASCRELL. Madam Speaker, I would like to call to your attention 
the work of an outstanding organization, The Passaic County Council on 
Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Prevention, Inc., which will celebrate its 
25th Anniversary on May 25, 2009. This milestone marks a quarter 
century of supporting those most in need of assistance to get their 
lives on track, and thereby become a productive part of the greater 
community.
  It is only fitting that The Passaic County Council on Alcoholism and 
Drug Abuse Prevention, Inc. be honored in this, the permanent record of 
the greatest democracy ever known, for all the assistance it has 
provided to individuals and families in the Passaic County area.

[[Page E1212]]

  Passaic County Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Prevention, Inc. 
was incorporated as a nonprofit prevention agency on May 25, 1984. 
Founded by Father Alan Savitt, a Catholic priest from the Paterson 
Diocese who still serves as executive director, the Council began 
working from a 200 square foot trailer in Clifton. After renovating an 
historic building on the City Hall property, the Council was granted a 
no cost lease from the city of Clifton and moved into its permanent 
home.
  This facility serves the citizens of Passaic County as a Prevention 
Resource Center, providing prevention educational outreach services and 
assistance programs to those in need. Programs range from those like 
BABES (Beginning Alcohol and Addiction Basic Education Studies) and 
Forest Friends, serving elementary school children, to high school peer 
counseling programs, and from drug free workplace and counseling to 
WISE (Wellness Initiative and Senior Educators).
  In addition to providing educational services and referral programs, 
the council also provides a focus for those interested in advocacy, 
public policy and prevention legislation.
  When the group first began, the county government provided funding 
for operating expenses, but as the years have gone by, sources of 
funding have begun to run dry. Through the hard work of the staff and 
friends of the Council, grants and partnerships have been secured to 
help make ends meet. Over the years, the Council has received 
governmental, charitable and foundation grants to help fund its 
innovative programs and partnership efforts with numerous worldwide, 
national, statewide and regional programs. Father Savitt and long-term 
employee, Sister Pauline Kuntne, have shouldered the heavy burden of 
fundraising with enormous fortitude.
  The job of a United States Congressman involves much that is 
rewarding, yet nothing compares to learning about and recognizing the 
efforts of service-minded organizations like the Passaic County Council 
on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Prevention, Inc.
  Madam Speaker, I ask that you join our colleagues, Father Alan Savitt 
and the staff and volunteers of the Passaic County Council on 
Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Prevention, Inc., all those who have been 
touched by their caring professionalism, and me in recognizing the 
outstanding contributions of this group to the Passaic County community 
and beyond.

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