[Page S3797]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  TRIBUTE TO ROBERT T. STAFFORD ON HIS WORK FOR THE VERMONT RED CROSS

<bullet> Mr. JEFFORDS. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to 
retired U.S. Senator Bob T. Stafford. The Central Vermont-New Hampshire 
Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross is honoring Bob with its most 
prestigious award at a dinner to be held at the Capitol Plaza Hotel in 
Montpelier, Vermont on May 7, 1998. He will receive the Chapter's 
Volunteer of the Year Award, in recognition for his six years of 
service on the Board of Directors and his sterling leadership of the 
its capital campaign, ``Building for the 21st Century.''
  Bob was elected to the Board of Directors in 1992, and has served on 
a number of committees, including financial development and the 
executive committees, as well as chair of the capital campaign 
committee. He led the last committee by identifying and acquiring major 
lead gift pledges for the $1 million campaign, initiated in 1997.
  Before joining the Red Cross Chapter's Board, he provided leadership 
for several significant disaster fund-raising campaigns, including the 
effort to raise funds to support recovery operations during the 1992 
flood that ravaged downtown Montpelier. He was also honorary chair of 
several special events to raise funds to support the operating expenses 
of the Chapter.
  In addition to these honors, the Chapter is hosting the dinner as a 
celebration and recognition of the longtime service of the state of 
Vermont. Bob has served the state of Vermont as Attorney General, 
Lieutenant Governor, Governor, U.S. Representative and U.S. Senator. 
His name is now revered by college students throughout the country for 
his development and support of legislation creating student loans and 
his leadership in efforts to preserve the environment. His support of 
vocational education is memorialized in his home town of Rutland, where 
the Stafford Technical Center serves the needs of hundreds of Rutland 
County students.
  His name is also affixed to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief 
Act, which allows various federal agencies to make preliminary advance 
preparations in response to disasters before their official 
declarations.
  I am pleased that my friend and former colleague is being recognized 
for this longstanding efforts in support of the community. Bob 
represents the best of Vermont and has set the example we should all 
strive to emulate.<bullet>

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