Michael McNulty

Mr. McNULTY

Mr. McNULTY. Mr. Speaker, I thank my good friend, the gentleman from Missouri, Bill Clay, for yielding me the time. Bill Emerson was one of my best friends, not just this Congress, but in life. When I first met him, it was not on the floor of the House of Representatives. It was not in Washington, DC. It was not even in this country. We were in the Horn of Africa and Bill was working with Mickey Leland and Gary Ackerman and others to try to see to it that the tragedy of 1988, when 250,000 people in Sudan died of starvation, did not recur. He was successful, along with Mickey, in that effort. He came to the House of Representatives as a page, and he loved this institution until the day of his death. He was an outstanding legislator, an expert on agricultural issues, a great family man, a man of deep religious conviction, and he was a great friend to all of his constituents, to all of his colleagues, and especially to the hungry and the homeless of the world and all of those who had special needs. I extend my deepest condolences to his wife Jo Ann, to his four children, to his lovely mother whom I had the opportunity to meet at the hospital last week, and I join with all of my colleagues in expressing the hope that our good friend Bill will continue to watch over all of us.

Mr. McNULTY

Mr. McNULTY. Last Thursday, Mr. Speaker, I was attending my daughter's graduation back home, and I missed rollcall No. 195 on the minimum wage bill, which I strongly support, and I want the Record to reflect my support for that bill. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.''

Mr. McNULTY

Mr. McNULTY. Mr. Speaker, each year the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States and its Ladies Auxiliary conduct the Voice of Democracy broadcast scriptwriting contest. This year more than 116,000 secondary school students participated, competing for 54 national scholarships. I am pleased to announce that my constituent, Ms. Charlotte J. Viscio, a senior at Guilderland Central High School in Guilderland, NY, has been named a national winner and recipient of the Larry W. Rivers Scholarship Award. This year's theme was ``Answering America's Call.'' I found great inspiration in Charlotte's words and wanted to share them here with my colleagues. They are as follows: It doesn't sound like a trumpet or an angel's harp. Nor does it echo like a cannon or fire crackers on the Fourth of July. It's not about war or winning. Nor is it about uniforms or medals. It's not just for leaders or peacemakers, soldiers or sons. Nor is it only for women. Whether ten or eight times ten, age makes no difference. The call of America is simply what United States citizens, proud and loving of their country, answer to when their services are needed. In some, the call is not loud, while in others, it's the only thing that they hear. For the President of the United States, this call is his job description. If he fails to answer, he's failed as America's leader and role model. Some Americans hear the call loud and clear and enlist in the military. Often, they are sent to foreign countries to strive for an American goal, realizing that they might lose their lives for America. And what, exactly, in America is worth fighting for? What is in our country's history that is worth preserving? It is the strongest nation in the world. It is a symbol of hope for countries striving for democracy. It is a place on the earth where all nationalities, religions, sexes, races and colors are unified by equality. America screams of hope and strength and leadership. And this is within every American. To be an American is a choice. Just because a person lives in the United States does not mean that he or she is a true American. A true American recognizes the call and is willing to answer it. It is not hard to answer. Some answer by volunteering their services to fire companies, food drives and charities. Others collect litter from the sides of roads, improving the appearance of American land. Many people answer the call by casting their votes on election day for the candidates they feel will make strong American leaders. All these activities are examples of how people answer America's call, giving of themselves for the betterment of their country. What called these Americans to their duty? Was it a television or radio advertisement? Were they inspired by a hero or a role model? Or, was it simply the voice inside them, the voice of their conscience leading them to serve their country? Within every true American's heart, the call exists. Answering this call is the duty of an American. The United States is a proud country, but it isn't self-centered. It has concern for other nations around the world and strives to help these nations. This is a reflection of its people. Since they are willing to give their services to their country they make life better not only for themselves but for their fellow Americans and others around the world. America is the voice of democracy. It is not the voice of one person but of all Americans, an accumulation of answers they have given to their calls. Nothing sounds louder than America's response. Nothing is more powerful. This is the foundation of the United States of America. A person simply needs to listen closely for the call within and then respond with the conviction that shows and professes, ``I'm proud to be an American.''

Mr. McNULTY

Mr. McNULTY. Mr. Speaker, I salute an outstanding young woman from my congressional district, Amanda Szalasny. Amanda was recently awarded first place in the essay contest, ``What the American Flag Means to Me,'' sponsored by the Legnard-Curtin American Legion post, which is located in Green Island, NY. The American Legion has long supported efforts to educate young people about the flag and what it means to all Americans. Amanda Szalasny's essay reflects the values that the American Legion has always promoted. What the U.S. Flag Means to Me (By Amanda M. Szalasny) To me the U.S. flag means liberty and independence. It is one of the most important things in all Americans lives. In the following paragraph, you will find out why I feel this way. In 1777, the Continental Congress adopted a 13 star and stripe flag. This was a symbol of freedom, liberty, and independence of the United States. I think this flag is very important to all of us because without it, someone could overpower us easily. We wouldn't have the liberty or independence we do now. So many times, we see the flag and we don't even stop to think about how important it is to us. We barely give it the slightest glance. It is not only a piece of fabric, it is a symbol of our freedom and independence. We don't think about what we'd be without it. The flag should be looked at with respect and loyalty. So many times we hear the Star Spangled Banner and say the Pledge of Allegiance without thinking about what we're hearing or saying. What ever happened to the patriotism we used to show for our flag? Now we just hear the Star Spangled Banner and we don't even bother to really listen to this music or look at the flag as we hear it. We say the Pledge of Allegiance without that patriotism in our voice. We have to realize what these things all mean, and treat them with respect. I think our flag should be appreciated by everyone. I appreciate it and try to show the best patriotism I possibly can when I say the Pledge of Allegiance or hear the Star Spangled Banner. And most of all, when I look at our U.S. flag, I don't see just a piece of decorated fabric. I see a symbol of liberty, independence, and my country! I feel that if I do this, maybe others will follow. In conclusion, I feel that our flag should be treated better because of all it represents. It represents us and I hope that patriotism for our flag will be shown more. Remember what it does for us.

Mr. McNULTY

Mr. McNULTY. Reserving the right to object, Mr. Speaker, my colleague from New York is correct. We have consulted with the ranking members of these committees, and we have no objection to the request. Mr. Speaker, I withdraw my reservation of objection.

Mr. McNULTY

Mr. McNULTY. Mr. Speaker, reserving the right to object, the gentleman is correct, the minority has been consulted. There is no objection. Mr. Speaker, I withdraw my reservation of objection.

Mr. McNULTY

Mr. McNULTY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that my name be removed as a cosponsor of House Concurrent Resolution 32.

Mr. McNULTY

Mr. McNULTY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the memory of the more than 1.5 million innocent Armenian men, women, and children exterminated by the Ottoman Turks in 1915--and the more than 1 million Armenians who were forced into exile from their ancestral homeland of 3,000 years. Three years later, Henry Morgenthau, United States Ambassador to Turkey, wrote in his memoir, ``Ambassador Morgenthau's Story'': When the Turkish authorities gave the order for these deportations, they were merely giving the death warrant to a whole race; they understood this well, and, in their conversations with me, they made no particular attempt to conceal this fact. The survivors of this deportation made their homes in different lands. They formed the core of what became the largest Armenian community in the Diaspora. In the United States, Armenians--proud of their heritage--have dedicated themselves to the preservation of democracy. And I was proud to be in Yerevan when the Armenian people declared their independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. But the memories of the horrible nightmare of 1915 are deeply ingrained in their memories. In this age of genocide--the Armenian genocide, the Holocaust, and the genocides being perpetrated upon the innocent in other countries-- the members of the Armenian community stand shoulder to shoulder with all who cherish freedom and human dignity in seeking an end to these crimes against humanity. In commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the Armenian genocide, I am proud to join my colleagues in supporting legislation which would honor the victims and survivors of this tragedy. The United States must take a principled stand on this issue and encourage Turkey to acknowledge and commemorate this sad page in its history. If Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the Turkish Republic, was able to condemn these massacres by his predecessors, the leaders of present-day Turkey can do no less.

Mr. McNULTY

Mr. McNULTY. Mr. Speaker, on March 5, 1995, in a small town in northern Italy two United States B-25 Airmen, 2d Lt. Lucian C. Crutchfield of San Antonio, TX and Flight Officer William F. Brooks of Cohoes, NY, both killed during World War II, will be recognized at a ceremony in which a granite memorial will be dedicated in their honor. Mr. Larry Pisoni, now a U.S. citizen, and coordinator of the event entitled ``Thank You America,'' explains his realization of a lifelong dream in the attached article which appeared in the Capital, an Annapolis, MD, newspaper, on February 7, 1995. [From the Capital, Feb. 7, 1995] Annapolis man plans return to Italy to dedicate monument for U.S. fliers (By Michael Cody) In the 50 years since Nazi soldiers executed two U.S. airmen near his hometown in Italy, Lorenzo Pisoni has taken America's heroes as his own. Next month, 12 miles from Vezzano and thousands of miles from his new home in Annapolis, Mr. Pisoni 57, will dedicate a monument to 2nd Lt. Lucian C. Crutchfield of San Antonio, Texas, and Flight Officer William F. Brooks of Cohoes, N.Y. They were among a crew of seven aboard a B-25 bomber that was shot down on Feb. 27, 1945, while trying to cripple a railroad through the Adige River valley. Mr. Pisoni was 7 then, and was called ``Enzo'' by family and friends. He was having lunch in a second-story room when he saw each member of the crew bail out, and each parachute open. Many years later, while examining U.S. documents, Mr. Pisoni confirmed that the plane went down at 11:57 a.m., just as he was eating his meal. From 1943, when Allied bombing began in earnest, until the end of the war, he never saw another plane destroyed. Some of the B-25 crew members were taken prisoner by Nazi soldiers. Others escaped capture with help from brave, anti- Nazi partisans. ``It was risky. The German law compelled them to turn them in right away. If they didn't, they could have killed them-- they had to keep the people in terror,'' Mr. Pisoni said. The feared SS took 2nd Lt. Crutchfield, the co-pilot, and Flight Officer Brooks into custody. The next day, Enzo went to his little town's square. He doesn't remember why. Possibly it was the rumor of American prisoners that drew him. He saw the prisoners, led by two Nazis--one tall, and one small. The Americans looked healthy and honest, not at all the monsters described in Nazi propaganda. The group walked out of town, south ward toward Arco, a much larger city. Along the mountain trail in the Italian Alps, partisans said, 2nd Lt. Crutchfield slipped. Flight Officer Brooks stooped to help him. Both were shot and killed. The SS reported they were trying to escape. ``They just mowed them down,'' said Charles Reagin, of Cory, Ind., the plane's radio operator, who was captured separately and spent the rest of the war in a prison camp. The news traveled quickly, even among a populace hardened to conflict. ``My life was greatly influenced by this episode,'' Mr. Pisoni said. ``They (the SS) said they wanted to escape, but no one believed that.'' And long after the war, when he had graduated from an Ohio college and had become a U.S. citizen, Lorenzo ``Larry'' Pisoni drove past the spot in Italy and thought of the men who died for another country as well as their own. ``It's time to say thank you,'' he said, describing a March 5 ceremony he helped plan. The airmen's survivors and 12,500 Italian families are invited. The regional administration of Trentino-Alto Adige has lent its support to the event, and a local stonecutter has donated granite for the monument. ``At this spot, on Feb. 28, 1945, two American airmen were shot by Nazis,'' its tablet will say, in two languages. They were two of more than 38,000 Americans who gave their lives on Italian soil during World War II to help Europeans of good will regain freedom and democracy.'' An Alpine bank is practicing American songs in honor of 2nd Lt. Crutchfield. Mr. Pisoni, who splits his time between Annapolis and Vezzano, said he expects all five surviving crew members to attend, including Mr. Reagin, pilot Jay DeBoer of Virginia Beach, Va., and navigator Robert Cravey of Thomaston, Ga. Mr. DeBoer escaped from the Germans crossing the Swiss border disguised as a monk, while Mr. Cravey was hidden by an Italian family. ``It's going to be an emotional thing,'' said Mr. Reagin, a retired Air Force master sergeant. ``Not only going back with the guys, but going to that spot.'' Mr. Pisoni, owner of Gourmet Italia, a pasta-importing firm, said he didn't start the monument effort to reconstruct what happened. ``I like to consider this a symbol of what the United States has done for Europe. The U.S. is the only country in the world that has helped its former enemies.''

Mr. McNULTY

Mr. McNULTY. Mr. Speaker, I was absent from the Chamber last Friday for rollcall No. 118 on H.R. 668. Had I been present and voting, I would have voted in the affirmative. I ask that my statement appear in the Record immediately following the rollcall.

Mr. McNULTY

Mr. McNULTY. Mr. Speaker, Mrs. Juanita Lochner is a resident of East Greenbush, Rensselaer County, NY. She is currently serving as president of the American Legion Auxiliary, Department of New York, and as a member of the Gerald O'Neil Unit No. 1683. As a member of the largest women's patriotic organization in the world, assisting veterans has always been her priority. Her project this year is called Special Touches. Because of budgetary cutbacks, the hospitalized veterans at VA Hospitals are unable to receive those extra comfort items that were previously provided. Her request to the Auxiliary members throughout the State is that we give veterans our help. ``They were there when we needed them, and now it's our turn to help them,'' she says. Through her efforts, funds are being collected to benefit each VA Hospital in New York State. Travelling throughout the 62 counties in the State, Mrs. Lochner also emphasizes strongly the support needed for passage of a constitutional amendment to protect our flag from desecration. The American flag has long exemplified the spirit of those who lost their lives, as well as those who fought and survived. Our flag is a symbol that unites us, and I am proud to be a cosponsor of House Joint Resolution 14. I am also honored to represent Juanita Lochner--a dedicated and patriotic American.