Floor Statements

Mr. Chairman, with more than 1.6 million annual bankruptcies, America needs real bankruptcy relief.

In the past, I have voted for the bankruptcy bill that is on the floor.

But today I cannot, because the majority has once again shown its allegiance to the most extreme elements of the anti-choice movement and removed the bipartisan, negotiated Schumer amendment.

The bill on the floor is an especially devious attempt to pass the bill without the Schumer language, now inserting the entire bill into Chapter 12 bankruptcy relief for farmers.

By doing so, the Majority is holding up much-needed bankruptcy reform and relief for struggling farmers hostage to appease anti-choice extremists.

But for the lack of the bipartisan Schumer language I would support the bill. The idea at the heart of the bill, that debtors who can pay their debts should, is a fair one. The reforms in the bill are long overdue and consumer spending is so important to the economy that it saddens me that the Majority decided to play games rather than pass needed reform. Without the bill, all consumers who pay their bills on time suffer as they experience higher credit costs than they otherwise would. This legislation is also important because it includes legislation dealing with the netting of financial contracts. As derivatives continue to play a larger role in the economy, this netting legislation grows in import.

The purpose of the bankruptcy code is to help provide a fresh start to the ``honest but unfortunate debtor.''

With over 4,100 acts of violence at our nation's clinics, it is clear that these criminals are not honest, but instead are violent criminals who are getting away with their efforts to injure and intimidate women.

Without this provision, if someone hurts or kills someone outside an abortion clinic, he or she can file for bankruptcy and avoid paying any judgements made against them. In other words, they are not held financially responsible for violating the law.

If we strip this provision from bankruptcy reform, we send a message to criminals that they can continue to trample on the rights of American women and use violence to do so.

We must stop these people from violating the law and must stop them from finding shelter in bankruptcy.

I urge a ``no'' vote on this bill which is a shameless attack on a fair, bipartisan compromise and an unjust assault on America's farmers and women.

Mr. Speaker, on October 12, 2003, Weill Cornell Medical College and the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development embarked on an historical venture that brings the best of American medical education to the Middle East. I was privileged to participate in this extraordinary event along with Qatar Foundation Leadership: Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Nasser al-Misnad; Saif Ali Al- Hajari, Vice Chairperson; H.E. Yousef Hussein Kamal, Member Board of Directors; H.E. Hajar Ahmed Hajar, Member, Board of Directors; Sheikha bint Abdullah Al-Misnad, Member, Board of Directors; Mohammed Fathy Saoud, Member, Board of Directors; and, Cornell University Leadership: Peter C. Meinig, Chairman, Board of Trustees; Sanford I. Weill, Chairman, Board of Overseers Weill Cornell Medical College; Jeffrey S. Lehman, President; Antonio M. Gotto, Jr., Provost for Medical Affairs and Stephen and Suzanne Weiss Dean, Weill Cornell Medical College; Daniel R. Alonso, Dean, Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar. Together with these esteemed colleagues, we marked the opening of a model institution that I hope will be replicated throughout the region.

I first visited Doha, Qatar in 1999 for the historic municipal elections where women were first granted the right to vote. At that time, I met with Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Nasser al-Misnad who requested help in bringing a U.S. medical school to Qatar. I did not have to look far to find an extraordinary medical institution that is located in my Congressional district. As a result, I took a small part in working to forge the relationship between Her Highness and Dean Gotto, Provost for Medical Affairs at Cornell University. Just a few short weeks ago, the Qatar branch of the Weill Cornell Medical College celebrated its inauguration.

In a very short period of time, Doha has been transformed into an academic hub of the Middle East and has become a strategic ally of the United States. Under the leadership of Her Highness, Qatar has made significant advancements in education, medicine, and science with the opening of the Education City. I strongly believe that the opening of WCMC-Q marks the beginning of an important exchange between the West and the East . . . at a time when the value of mutual understanding is at a premium. Qatar offers a superb environment and facilities for both teaching and studying, backed by an outstanding technological center. It has been an honor to be involved in the development of the Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar, and I look forward to marking the evolution of the entire Education City.

Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar is a pioneer in medical education as well as in diplomatic exchange. The College offers a complete medical education, leading to a Cornell University Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree, with teaching by Cornell faculty. It is the first American university to offer its M.D. degree overseas, and the first higher education institution in Qatar to be coeducational; women made up 70 percent of the inaugural class for the Pre-medical Program. These points are very important. Prospective students are subject to the same entrance requirements as in the United States and are awarded the same degree as students in the U.S. While WCMC-Q teaches in a coeducational forum, the students and faculty are learning together about cultural differences that only serve to enhance the learning environment. WCMC-Q aims to further the University's commitment of education, research, patient care and the advancement of the art and science of medicine while supporting the work of the Qatar Foundation in serving the community. WCMC-Q trains the physicians of the future and will research medical problems of concern in the region.

His Highness the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani and Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Nasser al-Misnad have made an ambitious and visionary investment in their people and their economy by creating the Education City. Recognizing that development and advancement will only come with an upgrade to the educational system, they have succeeded in fostering the interaction of various disciplines, cultures, and ideas through the Education City. The Qatar Foundation logo, the Sidra tree, represents nourishment for these ideals and serves as a reminder that Qatar is forging the way for democracy, freedom, and human rights in the region.

I feel privileged to have participated in this revolutionary event and I would like to reiterate my praise for both the Qatar Foundation and for Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar. You have built a bridge that will have a far-reaching impact into the future and will serve as a model of achievement for many to follow.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Colleen Ann Meehan Barkow, who perished in the attacks of September 11, as well as her father and mother, Thomas J. and JoAnn Meehan, who still suffer from her loss. The following is a letter sent to my office by Thomas J. Meehan III, which I want to submit to the Congressional Record.

Dear Representative Maloney: Colleen was an employee of

Cantor Fitzgerald working on the 103rd floor. Her partial

remains, the upper torso, were found on September 17, 2001,

the date which was to have been her first wedding

anniversary. My wife and I continue to be filled with the

anguish of her death, the manner in which she died, her un-

viewable remains, dismemberment and the tragic death she

suffered.

I am writing you today in regard to the legislation you

have introduced calling for a federal study to assess the

historic value of the WTC footprints and to assess the

appropriateness and feasibility of national monument status

for that immediate area.

This legislation is important not only to the families of

those who lost family members, but to the Nation and the

world, for September 11, 2001 is another day that will live

in infamy, and has altered the course of world history.

There are those who dispute its parallels in history, but

they cannot be disputed. Gettysburg, the attack on Pearl

Harbor, and Normandy are events which have so affected the

world, and have preserved for future generations the places

of the lives lost and bloodshed, so that freedom and

democracy will continue upon the world stage.

These historic events have warranted a national

preservation of where American lives have been lost and

sacrificed. So that their sacrifices would be remembered for

future generations, and maintained by a grateful nation, is

the reason why this legislation should be enacted for the

lives lost on September 11, 2001; they deserve nothing less.

The preservation of the footprints of the WTC buildings and

the surrounding area designation as a national monument is

needed to ensure that we as a nation keep our pledge to

``Never Forget''. We must secure the site and preserve for

future generations the ground which has been become sacred

and hallowed by the loss of the blood of all the victims.

Sincerely,

Thomas J. Meehan III.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the 75 employees of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey who tragically lost their lives in the attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. In recognition of the ultimate sacrifice they made while striving to rescue others, these fallen heroes have been honored with the dedication of a memorial in McManus Memorial Park in Astoria, New York.

I attended the dedication of the memorial and was deeply moved by the heartfelt testament to these fallen heroes by friends, family, and area residents. This park will bear witness that their courage and selflessness will never be forgotten, while offering a quiet and tranquil oasis amidst the busy city that affords an opportunity for reflection upon the terrible losses borne on that tragic day.

I ask that the following speeches given at the dedication ceremony be entered into the record:

The United Community Civic Association

(By Rose Marie Poveromo, President)

Good evening ladies and gentleman. Tonight's memorial

dedication ceremony is a joint effort shared by the United

Community Civic Association and our neighbor, the Port

Authority of New York and New Jersey.

This living memorial of ``A Grove of Trees'' is to

specifically honor the 75 Port Authority employees as well as

all the other innocents who so tragically lost their lives in

the 9111 shattering, horrific attack on, and total collapse

of, the twin towers.

Port Authority of New York and New Jersey

(By Bill De Costa)

I am grateful to be here to dedicate this memorial to the

75 Port Authority employees, and neighbors who lost their

lives in the attacks on the World Trade Center on September

11, 2001. This ceremony also honors the memory of all the New

York City police officers, firemen and all the other citizens

who gave the ultimate sacrifice that day.

Any event is always more meaningful when you receive

acknowledgment from your family, so we are particularly

honored that our neighbors and friends represented by the

United Civic Community Association have been so thoughtful

and considerate in their recognition. Thank you Rose Marie!

Yes, whether we are Port Authority or New York City

employees, we are all actual members of this vibrant and

wonderful community.

As we stand here today and view the McManus Vietnam

Memorial at one end of the park, and now this Port Authority

memorial at the other end of the park, we should always be

reminded of the words of President Harry Truman: ``Freedom is

still expensive. It still costs money. It still costs blood.

It still calls for courage and endurance, not only in

soldiers, but in every man and woman who is free and who is

determined to remain free.''

Seventy-five Port Authority employees, including 37 police

officers, made the ultimate sacrifice that September morning.

Always remember these people who were our neighbors, family

members and friends. The greatest testimony that we can now

give them is to continue our resolve for security and freedom

and to continue to work and live in this spirit.

Thank you all for attending and remembering them.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me honoring the Port Authority employees, the police officers and firefighters, and all those who paid the ultimate price on September 11, 2001 and to recognize those who planted a beautiful memorial grove of trees in their honor. It aptly serves as a living tribute to the brave men and women of the Port Authority and all who lost their lives on that tragic day.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Lila De Chaves- Chronopoulos. A remarkable woman, Lila De Chaves-Chronopoulos serves as President of the National Museum of Greek Folk Art, Lifetime Honorary Chair and Executive Global Cultural Director of the Euro-American Women's Council, and President of the Hellenic Federation of Friends of Museums. It is a pleasure to honor this ambassador of Greek folk art and culture.

Lila De Chaves-Chronopoulos has had a distinguished career as an ethnologist specializing in historical and ethnic textiles, jewelry and costumes. Among other accomplishments, she is currently professor of visual arts at American University in Athens. Ms. De Chaves- Chronopoulos is known for her participation in numerous international exhibitions of metalwork in Greece and abroad. She has also given various seminars through the American Women's Organization of Greece, as well as consulting for Hellenic organizations in Greece and the United States. In addition to her educational efforts, Ms. De Chaves- Chronopoulos has worked tirelessly to preserve Hellenic culture and promote Hellenic achievements to audiences around the world.

Granddaughter of an immigrant to America, Lila has strong ties to both the Greek and American communities. Her grandfather, Konstantin V. Chrones, came to the United States at the turn of the century and lived and worked here for 15 years prior to returning to his native Greece to raise a family. Lila's grandfather passed his American experience and his love of Greek culture on to his children and grandchildren. Lila's father, Vassilis K. Chronopoulos, was a well known doctor and revered philanthropist in Greece. The influence of her grandfather's American experience and her father's philanthropic efforts profoundly shaped Lila's life. Just as Lila has helped increase American awareness of Hellenic culture, she has also helped Europeans to understand and appreciate America's unique history, culture and way of life.

As President of the friends of the Museum of Greek Folk Art, Lila has authored numerous articles in both scholarly and mass media publications. Over the years, Lila De Chaves has shared the breadth and depth of her vast knowledge of folk art and jewelry with a wide audience. Her endless efforts to support the arts and culture, and to enlighten communities around the world are commendable.

In recognition of her outstanding achievements, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Lila De Chaves-Chronopoulos.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a group of congregations in my district that will come together to give thanks in the true spirit of Thanksgiving. These congregations are of different faiths, different sects and different practices. Nonetheless, they have in common a love for our country and gratitude to our Creator for bringing them or their forebears to a democratic country where civil rights and individual freedoms are protected. This inspired them to plan a joint service to give thanks.

Thanksgiving is a holiday that belongs to every American. It unites our country and embodies the principles upon which our great nation was founded. The first Thanksgiving is an account of immigrants arriving on a remote continent, launching a new life, surviving dangerous conditions, encountering a different culture, and sitting down with strangers to enjoy the bounty of this land. As waves of new Americans have found welcome here, they have embraced American values and joined in celebrating Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving symbolizes the bond that unites the very first immigrants with every subsequent generation of Americans. When we recreate the meal eaten at the first Thanksgiving, we remember the importance of sharing, kindness and tolerance, and we are grateful for the rich bounty offered us by this country. This is a land filled with plenty--fertile soil, rich resources and, most of all, liberty. We also recall, with sadness, that although the early immigrants were greeted with friendship by the native Americans, they reciprocated with hostility, greed and intolerance. Thanksgiving gives us an opportunity to be at our best, to welcome friends and family into our homes, and to recall those who are not as well off. Many Americans take time to feed the hungry in Thanksgiving celebrations at homeless shelters, soup kitchens and neighborhood civic organizations.

The Pilgrims arrived in the new world in November 1620, too late to plant crops. Of 110 men and women who arrived here from Europe, fewer than 50 survived the first hard winter. With help from a neighboring tribe, the Pilgrims learned how to cultivate local produce. In the fall they celebrated the harvest with members of the tribe. Over time, this harvest celebration became an institution. In 1817 New York State adopted Thanksgiving Day as an annual custom. By the middle of the 19th century many other states also celebrated a Thanksgiving Day. In 1863 President Abraham Lincoln appointed a national day of thanksgiving. Since then every subsequent President has issued a proclamation designating a day of Thanksgiving.

At dark times in our history the celebration of Thanksgiving has seemed especially poignant. For example, in 1942, London's Westminster Abbey held its first secular service in nine centuries, hosting a Thanksgiving event for U.S. troops stationed in England. More than 3,500 people filled the church, reveling in singing ``The Star Spangled Banner'' and ``America the Beautiful''. Everything that marked their differences--geography, religion, race--seemed insignificant in comparison to the things that united them and the liberties they had joined in battle to defend.

In times of tragedy, Thanksgiving has served to rally our nation. Six days after the assassination of President Kennedy, President Lyndon Johnson addressed the nation on Thanksgiving Day. He asked his fellow citizens to remain ``determined that from this midnight of tragedy we shall move toward a new American greatness.''

Mr. Speaker, I pay tribute to the congregations that honor the true spirit of Thanksgiving by setting aside the differences among their faiths and joining together to celebrate the liberties and freedoms we all treasure.

Mr. Speaker, today, Representative Biggert, Representative Hooley, and I introduce legislation to commend Iraqi women for their participation in Iraqi government and civil society and to advocate for the inclusion of women's rights in the Iraqi constitution.

The women of Iraq should have a stake in the future of their country. We must support the efforts of the Iraqi women to require that the constitution of Iraq includes equal rights for women. Iraq has the opportunity to begin a new chapter by rejecting the ways of Saddam Hussein, and embracing democracy, including the right to vote for all its citizens. I believe that the United States should support these efforts in every possible way.

I look forward to working with Representative Biggert, Representative Hooley and my other colleagues to pass this resolution and to fight for the rights of women in Iraq.

Mr. Speaker, at the end of this year, Stirling Scruggs will be retiring after 22 dedicated years with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). Stirling is a living example of the ideals behind the creation of UNFPA and the United Nations itself. A former high school football star in Tennessee, Stirling had many opportunities open to him in life. But his overriding ambition was one that so many of us shared in our youth: to make a difference in the world. Stirling has remained true to his youthful ideals and has made a difference, a substantial difference measured in millions of women and babies that survived because of his dedication and efforts; measured in the essential bonds between mothers and their children who survived to know each other and in the love of husbands and fathers who, rather than seeing their wives and children die in childbirth, have had long and full lives with their loved ones.

In speaking with his colleagues, there are three words that are always repeated when they describe Stirling Scruggs--Passion, Integrity and Kindness.

Passion: Stirling Scruggs has worked in some of the poorest places in the world. He has seen first hand the deprivations and struggles that hundreds of millions--in fact, billions of people--bear every hour, every day, every week throughout the year. Stirling Scruggs brings to his work a passion that bespeaks his own compassion and his own commitment to the cause of basic health, women and voluntary family planning around the world.

Integrity: Stirling combines his passion with unshakable integrity. He is unwavering in his commitment to basic health and rights for all the world's people. He has stood up for these ideals in some of the most difficult circumstances, including in China, where he worked tirelessly--as UNFPA does--to convince the Chinese about the greater wisdom of a voluntary, rights-based approach to family planning. Stirling Scruggs is a monument to personal integrity and professional dedication.

Kindness: Finally, and perhaps most importantly, Stirling brings to his work a core kindness--not only in his outlook to the dispossessed in our world, but in his dealings with all people. Stirling always has a kind word and a warm smile for those he works with, on behalf of and for. He is a tender man, who has a compassionate outlook toward those less fortunate and a compassionate manner with everyone he relates to.

There are few better, kinder men than Stirling Scruggs. He has represented the United States so well in the United Nations system. All Americans can be proud of the service he has rendered and we all wish him well as he continues his efforts to make the world--and each of us--a little better.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Loula Loi- Alafoyiannis, the Executive Global President and C.E.O. of the Euro- American Women's Council (EAWC). Loula has spent her professional life facilitating the needs of Greek and American entrepreneurial communities and advancing the cause of women's rights in the areas of business and education.

Loula has demonstrated that intelligence, integrity, energy, clear objectives and the love of a task well executed create credibility. Her love for Greece and her desire to promote greater understanding between Greece and America has made her a strong advocate and a wonderful ally.

Loula, like so many talented women of her generation, has had several careers. For two decades, Loula served as an elementary school teacher, helping to ensure that young people have a strong educational foundation. Her work with young people inspired her to create a Youth Leadership Award given annually by EAWC.

She then turned to the challenges offered by business, public relations and event-planning. Loula's entrepreneurial skills are widely recognized and, as a result, she has served as a delegate to White House Conferences on small businesses since 1990, and has advised numerous public officials and government leaders. Loula has also sponsored numerous White House luncheons for prominent and influential business women from across the United States and Greece.

In 1991, she founded and organized the ``Best Buddies Foundation'' in Greece, along with Anthony Kennedy Shriver, who serves as its Global President and C.E.O. As the Founder and the executive Global President of Euro-American Women's Council, Loula has established a spirit of cooperation among business women globally. The women of EAWC bridge nations and cultures, set trends, exercise influence, innovate positive change and make a difference around the world. Since 2001, Loula has been the Coalition Partner for Europe of the Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP) organization. She is currently a board member to the Human Rights Advisory Council of New York.

Loula has received a number of prestigious awards for her outstanding contributions, including the Crown Award, which recognizes her as one of the most creative minds of the top leading entrepreneurial women of the world. She has also earned the distinguished award of ``Honorary Citizen of Baku'' as a result of her pioneering efforts to improve entrepreneurial training in the former Soviet Union.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to bring to the attention of my colleagues the outstanding work of Loula Loi-Alafoyiannis. Her unwavering dedication to improving relations between the Greek and American entrepreneurial communities and promoting opportunities for women is truly worthy of our recognition.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time. I thank our ranking member and chair and my colleagues.

I rise in support of this legislation that permanently reauthorizes the Fair Credit and Reporting Act, which is extremely important to our economy and our national credit system. It also greatly enhances legal protections for identity theft victims, protects medical information, and provides groundbreaking new limits on the sharing of private consumer information among the affiliates of financial services companies.

My constituents need this legislation because New York City claims the sad distinction of having the largest number of identity theft cases of any city in the entire country. The FACT Act helps break the cycle of identity theft with new consumer protections including the right to a free annual credit report, a new consumer-initiated fraud alert system, new protections that will prevent the recycling or repollution of consumer information that is known to be the product of fraud, mandatory truncation of credit and debt card numbers to prevent theft.

In addition to identity theft, this bill contains groundbreaking limits on how financial services companies can share the sensitive consumer financial information among affiliates. These are important consumer protections given that some of today's largest financial companies have more than 1,000 affiliates. While the identity theft and privacy provisions will have the most direct impact on our constituents, the FACT Act also ensures the long-term viability of our national credit market by extending the FCRA beyond the end of the year.

Today I rise in support of legislation that permanently reauthorizes the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) which is very important to our economy and our national credit system. It also greatly enhances legal protections for identity theft victims, protects medical information, and provides groundbreaking new limits on the sharing of private consumer information among the affiliates of financial services companies.

My constituents need this legislation because New York City claims the sad distinction of having the largest number of identity theft cases of any city in the country.

In addition, this bill contains groundbreaking limits on how financial services companies can share their sensitive customer financial information among affiliates.

These are important consumer protections given that some of today's largest financial companies have more than 1,000 affiliates.

Finally, while the identity theft and privacy provisions will have the most direct impact on our constituents, the FACT Act also ensures the long-term viability of our national credit market by extending the FCRA beyond the end of this year.

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 663, I had intended to vote ``yea'' on H. Con. Res. 206, and request that the Record reflect my intentions.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this ill-conceived bill which promises to be a magic potion for seniors, but is a poison pill for Medicare.

Mr. Speaker, the seniors in my district have made their views on Medicare clear.

They believe that it should provide the same coverage for prescription drugs that it does for doctors' appointment and hospital stays. And they think that they should no longer pay the highest prescription drug prices in the world.

Unfortunately, however, the bill before us will provide inadequate benefits that would leave half our seniors paying more out of pocket for prescription drug coverage than they do now. And it contains a gap in coverage that will leave half of seniors without any drug coverage for part of the year.

Just as bad, this bill will impose a global ceiling on the size of Medicare. If the overall cost of the Medicare program exceeds a pre- determined cap, Congress will immediately be forced to slash benefits or hike premiums for those currently on Medicare.

To add insult to injury, this bill will undermine initiatives to cut the cost of prescription drugs. It would bar by law any effort by the Secretary of Health and Human Services to try to negotiate with pharmaceutical companies to lower prescription drug prices.

This bill will undermine and ultimately destroy Medicare as we know it.

It's not a magic potion. It's a poison pill.

I urge my colleagues to vote ``no.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to this conference report. H.R. 6 contains several harmful provisions including exempting the producers of MTBE from product liability claims and repealing the Public Utility Holding Company Act, which limits mergers between utilities companies. Additionally, the conference report does not prioritize the use of renewable resources by large utilities to generate power. H.R. 6 rolls back important safeguards in the Clean Water Act and the Safe Drinking Water Act which are critical in keeping the nation's waterways safe for people and wildlife. The country needs an energy policy that reduces pollution, protects consumers, and reduces the burden on the nation's electricity grid. This bill fails to meet those standards. I regret that we were not given the opportunity to vote on legislation that would reduce our dependence on foreign sources of oil.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the 23rd Street Association on the occasion of their Annual Award Luncheon. This year, the 23rd Street Association is honoring Cushman & Wakefield and Kenneth Krasnow for their dedication and service to the community.

Named New York Top Tenant-Rep Firm on Co-Star's Top 50 Manhattan Office Leases list, Cushman & Wakefield is the largest New York-based commercial real estate firm, representing tenants in three of the city's top 10 deals last year. The firm's retail brokers have also won the coveted Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY) Retail Deal of the Year Award every year since the award's inception. Cushman & Wakefield is New York City's largest property manager, managing approximately 52 million square feet of property. Founded in New York City in 1917, Cushman & Wakefield now operates 163 offices in 49 countries and employs over 11,000 professionals.

Ken Krasnow, Senior Managing Director for the New York Metro Region, joined Cushman & Wakefield in 1987 and spent ten years as a commercial leasing broker in Midtown Manhattan. Mr. Krasnow rose through the ranks, serving as Director of Business Development and Regional Managing Director for Cushman & Wakefield's Stamford and Long Island offices before his promotion to Senior Managing Director. Mr. Krasnow has responsibility for the firm's offices in midtown and downtown Manhattan, White Plains, NY, Stamford, CT, and Melville, Long Island, with approximately 175 brokers generating $200 million in annual revenue. Recently named one of Real Estate New York's ``40 under 40'' and one of Real Estate Forum's ``next great leaders,'' Mr. Krasnow is responsible for the strategic direction, business growth and development at Cushman & Wakefield as well as profitability of the region for the firm.

Despite his heavy business obligations, Mr. Krasnow has made time for civic and charitable works. He is active in numerous organizations, including REBNY, YM/WREA and the Westchester County Association, and serves as a member of the boards of the National Conference for Community and Justice, St. Mary's Foundation for Children and the Avenue of the Americas Association.

I would also like to commend the 23rd Street Association for its success in enhancing the quality of life for families and businesses in the area bounded by the Hudson and East Rivers from 17th to 28th Street. Incorporated in 1929 by 22 local business people, today's 23rd Street Association has approximately 300 members. Their projects include conducting business-training programs in local junior high schools, mobilizing the community to support a $2.5 million renovation of Madison Square Park, working with the local police to combat drug dealing and other crime, and developing annual summertime concert programming and children's entertainment in the community.

The Association is fortunate to represent individuals and organizations that are so committed to the advancement of their community. In recognition of the invaluable contributions and the selfless efforts of tonight's honorees, I ask that my colleagues join me in saluting the 23rd Street Association on 74 extraordinary years of service to the community.