[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 12] [Senate] [Page 17264] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]TRIBUTE TO MICHAEL W. SHERMAN Mr. LIEBERMAN. Mr. President, I wish to commend and congratulate Michael W. Sherman upon his retirement as executive director of YMCA Camp Woodstock, located in Woodstock Valley, CT. Mike has been humbly shaping the lives of countless children and young adults in Connecticut's ``Quiet Corner'' since 1987, and he will leave his position after 24 years of service. He has dedicated his life to making Camp Woodstock a safe and fun place for our kids to learn how to respect one another's differences, become leaders in their communities, and be good stewards of our environment. A gifted storyteller, Mike is known for his boundless creativity and enthusiasm. As his friends will tell you, when Mike speaks, people listen; and he has masterfully used this talent to inspire a very special culture at Camp Woodstock, embodied in its ``CHoRR'' values of Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility. A truly remarkable man, Mike Sherman's contributions to the growth and success of Camp Woodstock, along with his unwavering commitment to helping young people, are his enduring legacy. During his tenure, Mike has helped transition Camp Woodstock to year- round programming, reaching out to community leaders throughout the State and deepening ties to the YMCA of Greater Hartford. Camp Woodstock now proudly hosts the Discovery Center, which brings together children from urban and suburban schools to learn tolerance and celebrate diversity, and Moderate Voices for Progress, which teaches conflict resolution skills to young Israeli and Palestinian adults. Mike has also taken a special interest in helping disadvantaged youth in Hartford, championing special youth outreach and conflict resolution retreats throughout the year. Over the years, he has led volunteers in raising nearly $1 million in financial aid so that less fortunate children throughout the State could experience the ``Woodstock spirit.'' Mike's most important contribution to Camp Woodstock has been his keen ability to recognize and nurture the human capital that makes Camp Woodstock so unique. Mike embraced a long tradition of campers growing up to become counselors and expanded on that concept by developing the leader-in-training and counselor-in-training programs for young adults. Also, under Mike's skillful leadership, Camp Woodstock has boosted its recruitment of international staff and has forged special relationships with YMCAs in Russia and the Dominican Republic. Amid the tranquil pines of Woodstock and the calm shores of Black Pond, that have remained unchanged for generations, Mike has overseen the renovation and restoration of Camp Woodstock's facilities, including nearly all of the cabins, bathhouses, the Program Lodge, and the transformation of a beloved old barn into a program space containing an arts and crafts center, theater, and state-of-the-art indoor climbing wall. Mike's leadership has enabled Camp Woodstock to expand, as well, with the construction of a new climbing tower, the Roskin Lodge, for youth leadership training, the Lakeside Dining Hall, and, most recently, New Yurt City, a special living area for older campers. I am honored today to pay tribute to Mike Sherman and wish him and his loving wife Susan all the best in their well-earned retirement. Mike has made Camp Woodstock a far better place; and, although he may be leaving as executive director, his lessons, like his stories, will live on for years to come. It is with great pride that I recognize such a distinguished leader, educator, and outstanding citizen for his service to Connecticut and the Nation. ____________________