Mr. DODD. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to one of the more colorful characters in my home State, Ron D. Aliano, who on June 24, 1997, will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the creation of his first business in Norwich, CT.

Ron is renowned throughout my State for his positive attitude and his determination to tap the potential that he saw in the town of Norwich. He challenged Norwich residents to commit themselves to the revitalization of their hometown, and he is one of the leaders of this community's urban renewal.

Ron Aliano is a man who believes that you can achieve any goal through commitment and hard work. He is also an ardent believer in the theory that, `if you're going to do something, you do it right.' The best illustration of Ron's commitment to doing a task first rate would be the Marina at American Wharf.

For years, people talked about developing the Norwich waterfront, but these plans never amounted to anything more than talk. But Ron Aliano was the man who had the determination to make this project come to fruition. Before construction began on the Marina at American Wharf, Ron visited 86 successful marinas around the country to see what worked, and he tried to incorporate the best elements of each into his project. Today, boaters from Vermont, Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island, and all over Connecticut have rented slips in Norwich. Many people would argue that American Wharf is the nicest marina in New England, and it is the central spoke in Norwich's revitalization efforts.

Another, more unique illustration of Ron's commitment to doing things first rate would be the miniature golf course that Ron constructed in downtown Norwich. Instead of windmills and plastic dinosaurs, this course is lined with waterfalls and finely manicured gardens. It even has a volcano, a claim that very few miniature golf courses can make. This course has attracted people to the downtown area, stimulating the Norwich economy.

While Ron has worked diligently to develop Norwich, he also recognizes the fact that Norwich's strength lies in its history and tradition. As a result, he is deeply committed to preserving the town's rich heritage. In a misguided effort, certain developers uprooted cobblestone streets and destroyed several 19th century homes in Norwich, replacing them with a parking garage. In addition, many other deteriorating old buildings were in danger of being demolished. Fortunately, Ron Aliano and other members of the private sector invested substantial resources to purchase and renovate these old buildings, and Norwich is currently home to more significant historic buildings than any other city in Connecticut.

Although Ron has been associated with a number of high profile projects in Norwich, his first business priority has always been his ambulance service, which will be 25 years old next Tuesday. Ron's ambulance service has enjoyed a dramatic evolution since its birth. Ron founded the company with a business partner, but, in 1981, he became the sole owner of the company and changed its name to American Ambulance Service. While the company started with only two used ambulances, Ron now operates a fleet of 21 ambulances, nine invalid coaches, two paramedic response vehicles, one watercraft ambulance, as well as numerous administrative and support vehicles. American Ambulance has provided ambulance coverage to U.S. Presidents, and this business continues to offer the highest quality care to Connecticut citizens.

What makes Ron Aliano's passion for Norwich so unusual is that he is not a native son. Ron is actually from Bristol, Connecticut, and he didn't move to Norwich until he started American Ambulance Service in 1972. Therefore, as Ron Aliano celebrates the 25th anniversary of his oldest business, I think it is only appropriate that the town of Norwich, which once named Ron Aliano as their `Citizen of the Year,' should celebrate the day when Ron became one of its own.

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