[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 5024]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 IN RECOGNITION OF THE STUDENTS AND STAFF OF P.S. 234 IN ASTORIA, NEW 
                                  YORK

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                      Wednesday, February 28, 2007

  Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the 
students, staff, faculty, and administrators of Public School 234 in 
Astoria, New York. To demonstrate their appreciation and gratitude to 
all of the members of the armed forces and the National Guard and 
Reserve currently serving in harm's way overseas, the members of the 
P.S. 234 community became involved in the ``Adopt A Unit'' initiative 
and have selflessly given their time and resources to help support our 
brave men and women serving in the United States military in Iraq.
  With the encouragement of their Principal, Thea C. Pallos, and their 
Librarian, Anna Chelpon, the students of P.S. 234 launched a letter-
writing campaign to our troops in Iraq under the auspices of the Adopt 
A Unit program by connecting through the Internet to www.mysoldier.com. 
Through this letter-writing campaign, the students learned that many of 
our men and women serving overseas not only lack basic supplies, such 
as flashlights, batteries, combat boots, warm socks and thermal 
underwear, but also regularly go without basic toiletries including 
toothpaste and toothbrushes, dental floss and feminine care items.
  Outraged that our troops were often denied the basic staples of 
civilian life, the students of P.S. 234 decided to take action. The 
students began soliciting donations from members of the P.S. 234 
community as well as local merchants, and then sent the supplies they 
collected or purchased to Iraq in boxes donated by the U.S. Postal 
Service. What began as a small campaign has now grown into a large-
scale operation: The students are currently sending an average of 50 
boxes of supplies each and every week to our troops. These patriotic 
young people have done a truly outstanding job in supporting our 
service members and supplying them with some of the basic necessities 
of modem life.
  Mr. Speaker, in recognition of their compassion and support for our 
brave men and women in the United States armed forces, I request that 
my distinguished colleagues join me in paying tribute to the students 
and staff at P.S. 234 in Astoria, Queens. They are great New Yorkers 
and great Americans. Their love for our country and for our fellow 
Americans serving our nation abroad is an inspiration to us all.

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