[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 10305]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                     GASTONIA, AN ALL AMERICAN CITY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. SUE WILKINS MYRICK

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, June 9, 2000

  Mrs. MYRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate Gastonia, North 
Carolina for being named one of 10 All American Cities.
  Gastonia has a unique history, but it won the award because it has 
some great plans to fight illiteracy, enhance the arts, and provide a 
safe environment for our kids.
  The West Gastonia Boys and Girls Club has created a great mentoring 
program. College students mentor high school students who then mentor 
younger kids.
  To help the arts, St. Stephen's AME Zion Church has teamed up with 
the United Arts Council to move into a Historic Baptist church. The 
church hosts shows and--on Sundays--St. Stephen's holds services.
  And, Gastonia has done great things to fight illiteracy. No one 
demonstrates the impact of the Gaston Literacy Council better than Gary 
Avery, who says: ``Now I can read the Bible at church, I can read with 
my children and I can even write my wife a love letter.''
  There is no doubt that Gastonia is a city of hard workers. Now 
Gastonia has proven to the country that no problem is too big, as long 
as we work together.
  I commend Mayor Jennie Stutz for her pledge to create ``City Pride.''
  As the All-American City logo is placed around town, everyone will 
know: Gastonia can be proud of its past, but its greatest days are 
ahead.

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