[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 17574-17575]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



             HONORING THE ``OPERATION PROVIDE REFUGE'' TEAM

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JIM SAXTON

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 21, 1999

  Mr. SAXTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to recognize a group 
of Americans whose dedicated efforts truly made the proverbial 
difference in the lives of thousands of people. Too often in life we 
overlook the tremendous efforts of individuals who transcend their job 
descriptions and positively affect the lives of others. There are 60 
men and women in my district of whom job descriptions don't exist.
  On May 1, 1999, these 60 men and women were civilian employees at 
Fort Dix Army Base in Burlington County, NJ. In less than twenty-four 
hours, however, these diverse professionals would be united as full-
fledged participants in ``Operation Provide Refuge,'' an attempt to 
provide shelter for refugees from the Balkans. In just three days, 
these extraordinary individuals converted sterile Army barracks into a 
comfortable living space suitable for families. The Fort Dix civilians 
of Provide Refuge offered more than a housing facility to these 
refugees; they offered a home.
  As the first group of refugees arrived at Fort Dix on May 5, they 
were greeted with a tradition perhaps more American than any other: 
open arms. The first contingent of refugees--like the ones that would 
arrive later--spanned the entire age spectrum, but was comprised 
largely of the very old and the very young. These men, women and 
children were given the food, medical care, and shelter they so 
desperately lacked in their native land.
  On July 16, 1999, the last of the refugees left their temporary home 
at Fort Dix. In the two months that it was operational, Provide Refuge 
took in more than 4,000 refugees, restored them to health, and placed 
them with host families in 40 states across the country.

[[Page 17575]]

While 4,043 people checked into the facility, by July 16, 4,050 had 
checked out: during the tenure of Provide Refuge, the medical staff 
ushered into this world seven new lives--seven new Americans.
  The reason I stand before you today, Mr. Speaker, is to thank the 
workers who were truly the backbone of Operation Provide Refuge: Diana 
Bain, Denise Berry, Bernice Bonaparte, Audrey Bracey, James Butler, 
Arlee Cane, Jr., Arlene Clayton, Robert Cole, Donald Conklin, Maureen 
Coughlin, Normal Cowell, Patricia Cunningham, Karen Currin, David 
Dennison, Perry Domelevich, Frederick Dudley, Richard Esbensen, Sharon 
Fegley, Walter Gibson, Kenneth Gordon, Bonnie Graham, Richard 
Grzegorek, Richard Hatfield, William Hodgkiss, Eric Hollinger, Robert 
Hurrell, Paul Imhof, William Kisner, Roberta James, Thomas Jones, John 
Laraway, Sarah Lawson, John Litterio, Harry Malatesta, Mary Marchut, 
Pedro Martinez, Raymond Matthews, Denise McCarthy, Diana Messersmith, 
Bernard Pierce, Joseph Randazzo, Kenneth Razillard, Norman Rimbey, 
Jacquie Roach, Gail Rosado, Richard Sanders, Douglas Satterfield, Jay 
Schopp, Ronald Sexton, Evlyn Stefula, Walter Streeter, John Sweeney, 
Joanne Tindall, Jose Toress, Robert Tucker, Leonard Valerio, Annemarie 
Walsh, John Wenner, Mary Wig, and Barbara Worthy.
  These names will be entered into the permanent record at the Library 
of Congress documenting their accomplishments. These individuals 
symbolize everything that is good about America. They serve as a daily 
reminder of what public service is all about. These men and women went 
above and beyond their basic responsibilities in order to make someone 
else's life a little easier, and--in doing so--make the world a little 
better place to live. Once again, I would like to thank all the 
participants of Operation Provide Refuge: your dedication and selfless 
service is an inspiration to our nation and the world.

                          ____________________