[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 19]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 27275-27276]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                     GIRLS TOWN RECREATIONAL CENTER

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                            HON. IKE SKELTON

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 27, 1999

  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, let me take this opportunity to recognize 
Mr. and Mrs. Joe Scallorns, of California, MO. Over the years, Fran and 
Joe have worked for the betterment of their community and of the State 
of Missouri. They have contributed countless hours to improve the lives 
of many Missourians and they have dedicated themselves to public 
service.
  Recently, Fran and Joe donated the money for the construction of a 
new recreational center at Missouri Girls Town. It was named in honor 
of the Scallorns and their selfless contribution to the institution and 
the young ladies who reside therein. On October 2, 1999, the Scallorns 
Recreational Center was dedicated and Joe addressed those in 
attendance. His speech is set forth as follows:

       We are here today for a dedication of this wonderful 
     structure. Fran and I are a little embarrassed about the fact 
     that it bears our name. Most people don't see their name cast 
     in bronze or in stained glass. In most cases when a building 
     is named it is for someone deceased. On those occasions, 
     friends gather and say some nice things about the ``dearly

[[Page 27276]]

     departed''. On those other occasions in which the persons are 
     still living, they are invited to make a few remarks. I can't 
     tell you how happy I am to be here before you today.
       We are here as a result of our lead gift for this 
     recreation center. That was possible because we are living 
     the American dream. From a very modest beginning of our 
     marriage, we have worked hard, been lucky, and have enjoyed 
     the encouragement and support of family and friends, many of 
     whom are here today. We were fortunate enough to own our own 
     business, sell it, and retire early. We do live in the 
     greatest nation on Earth that is truly good and provides many 
     opportunities.
       Fran and I are so pleased to be a part of this great 
     effort. We have been inspired and encouraged by the 
     leadership of the Marshes, Ann K., the McClains, Isabelle 
     Bram, and others in sharing their time and resources with the 
     needs of the girls here. We are pleased and proud to be able 
     to do this and hope that this might influence and encourage 
     others to support Girlstown as much as they can.
       We are particularly pleased that our gift was for the 
     recreation center. Sports play such an important part in all 
     our lives, but especially in the development of young people. 
     Not only is this the largest structure on the campus, 
     beautifully designed, and well built although it is all those 
     things; but it is perhaps an apt symbol of what we try to 
     teach all our children--those at home and those here.
       Sports teach us that we get along better in life if we 
     learn to play by the rules. Wherever we are in our society, 
     we learn that there are certain expectations of behavior. 
     There are rules in the workplace, rules of the road and rules 
     of personal demeanor and behavior. The sooner we learn to 
     take responsibility for our actions by respecting and 
     abiding by those rules, the better we are able to get 
     along.
       Sports, whether recreational or competitive, teach us to do 
     our best. Coaches in any sport certainly know the 
     fundamentals of the game they are playing, but what makes a 
     great coach is having the ability to motivate others to do 
     their very best. If these young ladies can learn to motivate 
     themselves to improve at whatever they are doing--to strive 
     to do their best at every endeavour, that may be the best 
     tool for the building of character. Those that spend their 
     lives looking for happiness seldom find it. If they spend 
     their lives pursuing excellence, they can lead productive and 
     rewarding lives.
       The other great lesson that sports will teach us is 
     teamwork. Once we learn to depend on others and let them 
     depend on us, then achievements multiply. There are very few 
     efforts that don't improve geometrically as we approach them 
     as a team. The results of teamwork are always greater than 
     the sum of the individual efforts of those involved. It is 
     through working and giving together, to the best of our 
     abilities, that we are able to build this campus, continue to 
     improve it, and continue to add to it.
       A group of girls once gathered for their annual hike in the 
     woods. Taking off at sunrise, the group commenced a fifteen 
     mile trek through some of the most scenic grounds in the 
     country. About midmorning, the girls came across an abandoned 
     section of railroad track. Each in turn, tried to walk the 
     narrow rails, but after only a few unsteady steps each lost 
     her balance and fell off.
       Two of the girls, after watching one after the other fall 
     off the iron rail, offered a bet to the rest of the group. 
     The two bet that they could both walk the entire length of 
     the railroad track without falling off even once.
       The others laughed and said ``no way'', Challenged to make 
     good on their boast, the two girls jumped up on the opposite 
     rails, simply reached out and held hands to balance each 
     other and steadily walked the entire section of the track 
     with no difficulty.
       How easy it was, simply by working together as a team. When 
     people help each other, freely and voluntarily, there is a 
     spirit of teamwork that can conquer a multitude of problems. 
     When we don't cooperate, the whole system can fall apart.
       So remember: play by the rules, do your best, reach out--
     and never quit holding hands.

     

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