Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Queensview, a cooperative apartment complex in the borough of Queens in the district that I represent. Queensview celebrated its 60th anniversary last month.

Initially organized as the Joint Queensview Housing Enterprises Inc., under the Redevelopment Companies Law of New York State, Queensview was created as a model of middle class housing. The co-op's founders were a group of public-spirited New Yorkers, including Louis H. Pink, who was then president of the New York State Housing Board and State Superintendent of Insurance, and Gerard Swope, former president of General Electric and former chairman of the New York City Housing Authority.

Queensview's first Board of Directors included Mr. Pink (who was President of Queensview), Mr. Swope (Chairman of the board of Queensview), and such prominent citizens as Henry Morgenthau, Jr., former U.S. Secretary of the Treasury; David Sarnoff, chairman of the board of RCA; Mary K. Simkhovitch, director emeritus of Greenwich House; Thomas J. Watson, vice-president of IBM; Howard S. Cullman, chairman of the New York Port Authority; Bernard Gimble, president of Gimble Brothers; Howard C. Shepard, president of National City Bank (now Citibank); the Very Reverend E. Roberts Moore, formerly of the New York City Housing Authority; Mrs. Yorke Allen of the Citizens Housing and Planning Council; Albert Lasker of the Lasker Foundation; Beardsley Ruml, chairman of the Board of Macy's; and G. Howland Shaw, president of the Welfare Council of New York.

The complex, which opened its doors on November 14, 1950, is comprised of 14 buildings, with 52 apartments per building (726 apartments in all). Each building has 4 apartments per floor, meaning that every tenant can enjoy a corner apartment, with views in two directions. The buildings are situated on 9

acres of land. The apartment buildings themselves occupy only 14% of the property, leaving the rest available as open space. There are two playgrounds (which are used by the entire community), large lawns and beautiful landscaping. Some of the land has been made available for on- site parking, an amenity that is a great convenience for residents. Several buildings have community or club rooms that are used by a variety of local groups. As a mark of gratitude, the cooperators dedicated the community rooms in Buildings 7 and 14 to Queensview's founders, Mr. Pink and Mr. Swope.

In 1987, Queensview paid off its initial mortgage. In 1989, Queensview reconstituted as a private corporation known as Queensview, Inc., but since it is a limited equity corporation, prices remain affordable. As a cooperative, Queensview is a self-governing organization, overseen by the Queensview Council. The Council consists of two representatives and an alternate elected by each building. Residents make decisions about management of the building, including the nature of the amenities, upkeep of the building, staffing and security. As a result of their diligence and conscientiousness, Queensview is impeccably maintained and is a wonderful place to live.

Queensview is a naturally-occurring retirement community (NORC), meaning that a significant number of residents are seniors. The NORC program, operated by Selfhelp Community Services, provides residents with a wide range of on-site services including health and wellness, case management, counseling, social, recreational, educational, home care, technology, transportation, community trips and volunteer opportunities.

Since 1951, the Queensview Nursery School & Kindergarten has provided day care and early education. Currently serving children aged 2.9-5, the Queensview Nursery School & Kindergarten gives parents peace of mind by providing a caring and nurturing environment for their children.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my distinguished colleagues to join me in recognizing the success of Queensview, a warm, welcoming and gracious community and a terrific place to live.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Stuart Appelbaum, an extraordinary man and my good friend, who has served with distinction as President of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, representing thousands of working men and women across our nation. Last month, Mr. Appelbaum was honored by the venerable Americans for Democratic Action (ADA) organization at its annual Roosevelt Day Dinner at the Roosevelt Hotel in midtown Manhattan.

Stuart Appelbaum became President of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union on May 1, 1998, and has been re-elected to the position twice since then. He previously served as International Secretary-Treasurer, Vice President, Executive Board Member, Assistant to the President and Coordinator of Special Projects for the union. Stu Appelbaum is also an International Vice President and member of the Executive Board of the 1.4 million-member United Food and Commercial Workers International Union. He is the President of the Jewish Labor Committee, and an officer of two global union federations: the International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers' Associations and Union Network International. He is a Vice President of the Consortium for Worker Education.

Mr. Appelbaum has also served as a Vice President of the national AFL-CIO, a member of the federation's Executive Council from 1998 until 2005, vice president of the New York State AFL-CIO and of the New York City Central Labor Council. An honors graduate of Brandeis University and Harvard Law School, he previously served as Chief House Counsel of the Democratic National Committee and as Executive Assistant to the Secretary of the State of Connecticut.-

A skilled and tireless political activist who has dedicated his life to progressive causes, Stu Appelbaum was elected a Delegate to the 1996, 2000, 2004, and 2008 Democratic National Conventions and an Alternate Delegate to the 1992 Democratic National Convention. In 2008, he served as a member of the Electoral College as an Obama elector from New York.

By honoring Stuart Appelbaum last month, ADA is upholding its finest progressive traditions. Founded by Eleanor Roosevelt, John Kenneth Galbraith, Walter Reuther, Arthur Schlesinger, and Reinhold Niebuhr, the ADA seeks to promote and preserve Franklin D. Roosevelt's vision for a New Deal for the American people resulting in a more just society.

With the election of President Obama, the ADA's mission of promoting progressive American values has gained renewed momentum. Past presidents of the ADA include several of my distinguished colleagues in this House: Barney Frank, Charles Rangel, John Lewis, and Jim McDermott. Stuart Appelbaum is a proud heir to the ADA's long and honored tradition, and it is therefore entirely fitting that his lifetime of extraordinarily effective and passionate advocacy has been recognized by Americans for Democratic Action.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my distinguished colleagues join me in honoring Stuart Appelbaum, a great American and a great New Yorker whose life's work has improved the lives and working conditions of countless individuals.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the New York Presbyterian Hospital and the New York Blood Center for their outstanding partnership to increase life-saving blood donations in our nation's greatest city. Thanks to donations from thousands of New Yorkers from all walks of life, this outstanding collaborative effort has helped provide nearly 14,000 blood donations over the past five years, representing an immeasurable contribution to saving and improving the quality of countless lives. The outstanding leadership of both Dr. Herbert Pardes, the Chief Executive Officer of New York Presbyterian Hospital, and Dr. Christopher Hillyer, the Chief Executive Officer of the New York Blood Center, have helped make this joint initiative so extraordinarily successful.

Under the leadership of Dr. Pardes, New York Presbyterian Hospital has done a spectacular job of encouraging its employees to donate blood. As a result, it is the largest hospital donor group in New York City and the third largest donor group in Manhattan. The hospital has increased the number of donations it generates every year for at least a decade. Each pint donated saves three lives. Last year, it generated more than 3,500 donations through its various blood drives, saving more than 10,000 lives. And for the first five months of this year, donations are up 50% over the same period last year. Blood donated by New York Presbyterian Hospital is distributed by the Blood Center to more than 200 hospitals in the greater New York metropolitan area.

Established in 1964, the New York Blood Center (NYBC) has become one of the nation's largest non-profit, community-based blood centers. For more than forty-five years, it has provided donated blood, transfusion products and services to nearly 200 hospitals in the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area. In 2009, the NYBC set a personal record after receiving nearly 3,500 blood donations. It is also home to the National Cord Blood Center, the world's largest public cord bank. The Cord Blood Center provides adults and children with life-threatening illnesses with stem cell transplants from unrelated donors.

New York hospitals need a diverse range of blood donations to match the diverse nature of New York's population. With the help of the participation in blood drives of New York Presbyterian Hospital's diverse employee population, the Blood Center is able to ensure that local hospitals have blood available to serve patients with sickle cell anemia and other diseases that disproportionately affect minority communities.

One of New York City's most respected health care institutions, New York Presbyterian Hospital is the product of a partnership that was formed in 1998 between The New York Hospital, founded in 1771, and The Presbyterian Hospital, founded in 1868. As a merged institution, New York Presbyterian Hospital has provided first rate medical care to untold numbers of New Yorkers. With two affiliated medical schools, New York Presbyterian is recognized as one of the greatest academic health centers in the world. With more than 13,000 employees and 2,298 patient beds, the hospital is ranked among America's best by U.S. News and World Report. It has centers of excellence in AIDS care, digestive diseases, gene therapy, preventive medicine, reproductive and fertility medicine, vascular medicine and others. The William Randolph Hearst Burn Center is the largest

and busiest burn center in the country. New York Presbyterian is also the first hospital to establish special centers and programs for women's health.

The most important reason for the success of New York Presbyterian Hospital's blood drive is the strong support of senior officials at the hospital. From the lowest clerk to Dr. Pardes himself, blood donation is part of the culture at New York Presbyterian Hospital.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in recognizing the New York Blood Center, New York Presbyterian Hospital, Dr. Herbert Pardes and Dr. Christopher Hillyer for their enormous contributions to New York's health care system. Their collaboration has saved innumerable lives. New York Presbyterian Hospital and the New York Blood Center serve as a example of our nation's health care system at its best.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the late Dr. Mary Marangos, a longtime activist in the Hellenic American community and dedicated congressional staff member who passed away last month after a valiant struggle with breast cancer. A career educator and public servant, Mary Marangos touched the hearts and bettered the lives of countless individuals from all walks of life.

As the Member of Congress representing Astoria, New York, home to the largest population of persons of Hellenic descent anywhere in the United States, I have depended on Mary Marangos to serve as my eyes and ears in that thriving, bustling community for the last seventeen years. In addition, Dr. Marangos represented me at an international conference held in Cyprus and Greece in 2002, which was fitting, as she had been active in the Cyprus Liberation Movement since the island's illegal occupation in 1974.

Mary Marangos was a whirlwind of activity in the Hellenic-American community of our Nation's greatest city, leading me to bestow upon her the nickname ``the Greek Cannonball.'' She was active in and helped organize events for countless organizations such as the Panpaphian Association and the Women's Issues Network of the Pancyprian Association. She worked closely with local organizations such as the Greek-American Homeowners Association, the Cretan Association, and the Federation of Hellenic Societies on important activities such as citizenship and voter registration drives. She proudly accompanied me as we marched each year in the Greek Independence parade on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, and was deeply involved in every aspect of the life of the Hellenic-American community, from being a booster of Greek- American soccer clubs to supporting arts and the humanities to increasing awareness and appreciation of the splendors of Greek civilization, past and present.

Mary Marangos' dedication to public service and helping others started much earlier than her tenure as a congressional staff member. She was an educator, administrator and coordinator at the vocational/ alternative high school level in the New York City public school system, serving as a coordinator of the GED program at the Vocational Training Center at LaGuardia Airport. She coordinated the AIDS Prevention Program on the high school level, training teachers on how to teach HIV prevention and holding conferences on the epidemic. Dr. Marangos also fostered staff development initiatives for elementary school teachers and administrators.

A graduate of New York City public schools, Mary Marangos earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the New York State Education Department, a Master's Degree in high school administration and supervision from Fordham University, and a doctorate in International- Intercultural Developmental Education from Florida State University under a full fellowship from the U.S. Department of Education.

Mary Marangos was the loving and devoted daughter of Pantelis Marangos from Kalavasos, Cyprus and Despina Kyriacou from Lesvos, Greece and Cyprus. She was devoted to them and steadfast in her care of both in their later years.

Dr. Marangos has been an important leader of the Hellenic American community. Her assertiveness, intelligence, willingness to help are only a few of the characteristics that make her such a special person. Time and time again she has gone out of her way to help members of our community in need. She truly epitomizes the spirit of the Hellenic American woman--strength of character, activism, intelligence and compassion.

Mr. Speaker, I request that my esteemed colleagues join me in paying tribute to the late Dr. Mary Marangos for her extraordinary contributions to the civic life of our Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the extraordinary contributions of Joseph Stamm, who is celebrating his 25th anniversary at the helm of the New York County Health Services Review Organization (NYCHSRO). Mr. Stamm has been largely responsible for the unparalleled growth and success of NYCHSRO and its subsidiary, MedReview Inc. (MedReview).

NYCHSRO was among the first organizations registered as a certified Utilization Review agent in New York. NYCHSRO has conducted over 2 million peer reviews to evaluate clinical decisions and services rendered by medical practitioners at all levels of the health care continuum. Its clients include state and local governmental organizations, managed care organizations, health insurers and third party payors.

In 1998, under Mr. Stamm's leadership, NYCHSRO created MedReview, which provides independent medical reviews and medical claims audits to self-insured plan sponsors. With offices in Cleveland, Denver, Orlando, Tampa and Thomasville, GA, today MedReview is one of America's premier medical and claims-related auditing organizations, helping clients manage health care costs more effectively, and avoid overpayment. MedReview boasts that it manages to recover millions of dollars in claims overpayments annually. MedReview's clients include some of America's largest and most respected organizations including Corporate Express, Mack/Volvo Trucks, Nissan, Oregon School Boards, ServiceMaster, UBS Financial and Ingersoll Rand, as well as many non- profit and government organizations.

Mr. Stamm served in various other capacities at NYCHSRO/MedReview, starting out as Director of Ambulatory Care Review and Associate Executive Director for Planning and Development and then as Deputy Executive Director responsible for Hospital Review, Ambulatory Care, Medical Care Evaluation, Data and Home Care Review. Mr. Stamm was instrumental in developing and implementing monitoring programs for Medicaid, Medicare and the private sector at all care levels -- inpatient, ambulatory, long-term health care and home care, both in the state and nationally.

Prior to his tenure at NYCHSRO/MedReview, Mr. Stamm spent several years at the New York City Department of Health in various capacities, including Director of Investigation and Enforcement, Director of Program Planning and Development and Assistant Director of Health Evaluation.

Mr. Stamm is a recognized expert in the medical review industry and is on the faculty of Columbia University School of Public Health. He has lectured nationally and internationally and has been published on health care-related topics in scholarly journals such as Mount Sinai Journal of Medicine, the New York Academy of Medicine Journal and the Journal of Community Health. He is also a member of a number of health care associations, as well as a fellow of the New York Academy of Medicine.

Mr. Stamm is a strong supporter of and a frequent visitor to Israel. In 2006, at the request of Assemblyman Dov Hikind, he traveled to war- torn Israel on a fact-finding and humanitarian mission. The mission members met with mayors of northern Israel and the leaders of health care organizations such as Rambam Hospital, the largest hospital in northern Israel. Mr. Stamm has also been very active in the Beitar Foundation and in 2007, he received the HaTov U'Meitiv Man of the Year Award at the Annual Beitar Foundation Dinner. Joseph Stamm received his rabbinical ordination from the Rabbi Jacob Joseph Yeshiva in New York City and earned his MPA from New York University.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my distinguished colleagues to join me in recognizing the many achievements of Joseph Stamm, a business leader, innovator and strong supporter of Israel and the Jewish community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay special tribute to the late Jerry Kurowyckyj, Sr., a dedicated community leader, activist, and local business owner in New York City, who passed away last year. Known as the ``Mayor of Ukraine,'' his extensive commitment to serving others was profoundly appreciated by the Lower Manhattan community he loved. Sadly, New York has lost a neighborhood leader and a food-lovers icon.

For nearly three decades, Mr. Kurowyckyj helped manage his family- owned business, Kurowyckyj Meats, Inc., in Manhattan's East Village neighborhood, a commercial and cultural hub for New Yorkers of Ukrainian and Polish descent during the post-World War II era. Founded in 1955 by Mr. Kurowyckyj's father, the shop became an integral part of the neighborhood, and a mecca for gourmands throughout the tri-state area. Kurowyckyj Meats was acclaimed throughout New York not only for its delicious, fresh pork products such as bologna, frankfurters, rolled bacon, sweet sausages, spicy salami, trays of smoked hams, and homemade kovbasa, but also for its personal customer service. It was praised by the New York Times as an ``East Village haven'' and written up glowingly in respected periodicals such as Gourmet and Food and Wine magazines. The shop was one of the last in the city to operate an original smokehouse, which lent a unique flavor to the store's delicacies. Sadly, the store closed in 2007, a victim of changing times and tastes.

Remembered for his continuous generosity, Mr. Kurowyckyj made immeasurable contributions to the civic life of his community. For much of his life, Mr. Kurowyckyj was a dedicated and energetic member of New York's Community Board 3, applying his strong leadership abilities and lifelong devotion to Lower Manhattan to maintaining and improving the quality of life in the neighborhood he loved.

Among his many volunteer efforts, Mr. Kurowyckyj dedicated his time and attention to several local institutions in the community, including the St. George Ukrainian Church. His enterprising initiative and dogged perseverance were instrumental in enabling the church to move into its current location on East 7th Street, and its site remains a testament to his efforts.

As a distinguished leader of his community, Mr. Kurowyckyj not only reached out to local residents, but to recent immigrants as well. Upon their arrival in the neighborhood, Mr. Kurowyckyj provided assistance and knowledge to help them establish themselves in New York. His compassion and individual attention exerted a strong positive impact on the lives of countless individuals.

Mr. Kurowyckyj's proud devotion to his Ukrainian heritage is carried on today by his wife, Iryna Kurowyckyj, President of the National Board of the Ukrainian National Women's League of America. Mr. Kurowyckyj is also survived by his son, Jerry, Jr., and daughter, Oksana.

Mr. Speaker, I salute the life and work of Mr. Jerry Kurowyckyj and I ask that my distinguished colleagues in this House join me in recognizing his extraordinary service to others and immeasurable contributions to the civic and business life of our nation's greatest city.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to acknowledge the achievements of Bhupendra Patel, M.D., a remarkable man who has dedicated himself in service to others. The Chief of the Department of Medicine at the Mount Sinai Hospital in Queens, Dr. Patel is also an important and inspirational voice for the thriving Indian-American community of our nation's greatest city. A selfless advocate for his patients as well as a dedicated and generous philanthropist, ``Bhupi'' Patel is truly an example and role model for the community, and I am proud to call him my friend.

Dr. Bhupendra Patel has demonstrated a lifelong passion for the study and practice of medicine. Born and raised in Kenya, he earned an MBBS from Baroda Medical College in India. The political unrest there, coupled with immigration of many of his friends to the United States, inspired Dr. Patel to conduct his medical internship and residency at the Long Island Jewish Hospital, where he worked as an internist. Dr. Patel continued to make important contributions to the field of medical education by serving as an Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine at the renowned Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York.

Throughout his career, Dr. Patel has striven successfully to help serve the needs of the growing Asian-American community in New York City, serving as the President of the Gujarati Samaj of Greater New York and helping found the Nargis Dutt Memorial Foundation. As President of the Gujarati Samaj, Bhupendra Patel helped raise money for a new community center to serve the local Gujarati community. The Nargis Dutt Foundation that he helped found has committed itself to improving medical care for cancer patients throughout India for the past decade, supplying critically needed medical equipment to healthcare facilities there. Dr. Patel also serves on the board of ``SHAREing and CAREing,'' an organization in Queens that for the last sixteen years has provided essential services to those afflicted with breast cancer, helping to ensure the quality of their medical and social services and providing them with critical tools to help them in their moment of need.

Dr. Patel's activism extends beyond the world of medicine. As President of the Indian-American Center for Political Awareness, he has worked not only to improve bilateral relations between India and America, but to increase political awareness of and boost the participation of the Indian American community. In so doing, he has helped pave the way for second generation Americans of Indian descent, urging them to remain involved and build on earlier progress. Dr. Patel's considerable contributions to medicine and philanthropy have been widely acknowledged; he has been honored by the Gujarati Samaj of Greater New York, the Indian Dental Association of the United States, and 100 Black Men, and was presented the ``Outstanding Asian American'' award by former New York Governor Mario Cuomo, as well as the prestigious 2008 Ellis Island Medal of Honor.

Mr. Speaker, in recognition of a lifetime of service to others, I request that my colleagues join me in paying tribute to Dr. Bhupendra ``Bhupi'' Patel, a great New Yorker and a great American who made immeasurable improvements to the quality of life of his fellow New Yorkers. Dr. Patel's selfless and enduring dedication to serving others and to the civic life of our nation serves as an inspiration to us all.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor New York City Council Member Daniel Dromm, a pioneering figure in the political history of Queens, the most diverse county in the nation. An educator, community organizer, union leader, and political activist, Daniel Dromm's experience and dedication led voters in New York City's 25th City Council District to elect him by an overwhelming margin last year to serve as their new Council Member. Last month, Councilman Dromm was honored by the Queens Lesbian & Gay Pride Committee at its annual Winterpride celebration in Astoria.

A graduate of St. Mary's Elementary and Boys' High School in Manhasset, NY and Marist College in Poughkeepsie, NY, Daniel Dromm went on to earn a Master's Degree from City College of the City University of New York. Prior to his career as an award-winning New York City public school teacher, he served as Educational Director of the Grant Day Care Center in Harlem, where he developed his legendary organizing skills fighting for the rights of the poor to affordable childcare, social services and quality education. He instructed and inspired thousands of students at PS 199Q in Queens. In 2006, Dromm was named ``Outstanding Teacher of the Year'' by his school's principal and in 2009, he was chosen as ``Educator of the Year'' by the Sunnyside Kiwanis Club. In 1992, Danny courageously came out as an openly gay teacher, becoming a role model for equality--and front-page news in daily newspapers in our nation's greatest city.

Deeply committed to civil rights and social justice, Dromm has established himself a fighter against prejudice, discrimination and violence as the founder and former co-chairperson of the Queens Lesbian and Gay Pride Committee. Fifteen years ago, he organized the first Queens LGBT Pride Parade and Festival, that takes place every year on the first Sunday in June in the vibrant Jackson Heights neighborhood. Dromm co-founded the Queens Chapter of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (P-FLAG), helped establish the Queens Pride House, and co-founded the Generation Q Youth Services Program in Astoria. His dedication to the communities he serves is broad and deep, inspiring his efforts on behalf of the Kiwanis Club of Jackson Heights, his tenure on the Board of Directors of the Corona-based Community Conciliation Network, his active membership in the 115th Precinct Community Council, and his volunteer duty with the Jackson Heights Beautification Group. He has been honored by the Sociedad Puertorriquena de Queens for his commitment to the Latino community, and serves as a member of the NAACP Corona/East Elmhurst chapter. He has been honored by the Korean-American Association of Central Queens, by the Times/Ledger newspapers with its Community Leadership Award, and by the United Federation of Teachers with its Marsh-Raimo Award, a fitting tribute to a dedicated labor activist.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my distinguished colleagues rise to join me in honoring the extraordinary contributions to the political and civic life of our nation's greatest city made by the pioneering political activist and elected official, New York City Council Member Daniel Dromm.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the achievements of the Honorable Barbara Fife, Director of External Affairs at the School of Public Affairs at Baruch College of the City University of New York, Co-Director of its Center for Innovation and Leadership in Government, and a distinguished public servant who served as a Deputy Mayor of the City of New York. Last month, Ms. Fife's sixteen years of devoted service to Baruch College were celebrated by her colleagues and friends.

An accomplished and respected public servant in her earlier career, Ms. Fife served as New York City's Deputy Mayor for Planning and Development during the administration of former Mayor David Dinkins. As Deputy Mayor, she oversaw and was responsible for the operations of several major agencies of the nation's largest municipal government, including the Departments of City Planning, Housing Preservation & Development, Environmental Protection, Parks & Recreation, and Cultural Affairs and Libraries, as well as the

Landmarks Preservation Commission. In this capacity, Ms. Fife helped manage and implement one of the Dinkins' administration's signature achievements: she oversaw and helped manage the New York Public Library system's move to extend access to its facilities by keeping libraries open six days a week--for the first time since 1947. She held a seat on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and chaired its Real Estate Committee and served as a member of the New York City Water Board and as Vice Chair of the Hudson River Park Conservancy. She also represented Mayor Dinkins on the Boards of the New York Public Library, the Brooklyn Museum and the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts.

Barbara Fife previously served as the Senior Special Assistant and acting Chief of Staff to then-Manhattan Borough President Dinkins. From 1982 to 1984, she directed the Internship Programs in the Department of Urban Planning at Hunter College of the City University of New York. She was a Democratic National Committeewoman from 1980 to 1990 and was elected and re-elected to the New York State Democratic Committee ten times.

Ms. Fife has served on the boards of many non-profit organizations, including the Museum of the City of New York, the Public Art Fund, Regional Plan Association, Project FIND, the Community Service Society, the Settlement Housing Fund, the New York League of Conservation Voters, and the Manhattan Theatre Club. She is a former President of the Parks Council and a former Vice President of the Clinton Housing Association. She graduated cum laude from Bryn Mawr College and holds a Master's degree in Urban Planning from Hunter College.

Throughout her distinguished career, Barbara Fife has remained devoted to her family. She and her beloved late husband Martin raised four sons, Stephen, Richard, Howard, and Andrew, and she is devoted to their beloved grandchildren.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my distinguished colleagues rise to join me in saluting the extraordinary contributions of the Honorable Barbara Fife to the political and civic life of our nation's greatest city.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Baruch College of the City University of New York. Last year the College honored several remarkable leaders on the occasion of the 21st Annual Bernard Baruch Dinner at Cipriani 42nd Street in Manhattan.

A senior college in the City University of New York (CUNY), Baruch College is ranked among the top 15% of U.S. colleges and was named one of the 50 public colleges offering the ``best value'' to students. Currently led by Interim President Stan Altman, Baruch College honored five distinguished women in 2010, for the first time ever. Each is a prominent leader in New York City's real estate industry, chosen by Baruch College's trustees for their remarkable achievements in professional life and their extraordinary devotion to serving their communities. In addition, the Bernard Baruch Dinner last year honored the women of the College's Class of 1940, who were the first female students admitted after a 1933 ban on women students was ended in 1936, and who served as pioneering trailblazers for the generations of women who followed in their footsteps at Baruch. Appropriately, the former Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Donna Shalala, a former President of Hunter College at CUNY, served as a dinner presenter.

The five women who were recognized at the 2010 Bernard Baruch Dinner are truly deserving honorees. The Bernard Baruch Medal for Business and Civic Leadership was presented to four outstanding leaders, Suzanne Sunshine, Louise M. Sunshine, Sylvia J. Smith, and Doris W. Koo, and the Distinguished Alumna Award was presented to Dolly Lenz.

Suzanne Sunshine is the President of S. Sunshine & Associates, which provides commercial and residential real estate brokerage and consulting services to non-profit organizations and their personnel, donating a percentage of its fees back to each non-profit client.

Louise M. Sunshine has enjoyed extraordinary success in the worlds of business, politics and government. After serving as a trusted top advisor to New York State Assembly Majority Leader Al Blumenthal and New York Governor Hugh Carey, in 1986, she launched the Sunshine Group firm focusing on residential real estate, where she coined the phrase, ``All Square Feet Are Not Created Equal.'' Today, she serves as a consultant to Alexico Group, LLC, and is playing a leading role at Domineum, a firm offering global real estate solutions.

Sylvia Smith, FAIA, LEED AP, is a Senior Partner at FXFOWLE Architects, a leading firm that also provides planning and interior design services. She is the founder of the firm's Cultural & Educational Studio and is currently leading the redesign of public spaces at Lincoln Center, the Juilliard School expansion, and the Alice Tully Hall renovation, and recently completed award-winning Bronx Zoo projects.

Doris W. Koo is a nationally respected leader with nearly three decades' experience in affordable housing and community development.

President and CEO of Enterprise Community Partners, she also chairs the board of the Enterprise Community Loan Fund, a national leader in providing development capital, financial solutions, public policy advocacy, and technical expertise to create affordable housing.

Dolly Lenz is the Vice Chair of Prudential Douglas Elliman, one of the leading real estate firms in our Nation's greatest city. The daughter of an immigrant from Spain, she has risen to dizzying heights in her profession and is truly a worthy recipient of Baruch College's Alumna of the Year Award.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my distinguished colleagues rise to join me in paying tribute to Baruch College of the City University of New York and the five outstanding honorees it recognized at the 21st Annual Bernard Baruch Dinner.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the Terence Cardinal Cooke Health Care Center, a continuing-care facility founded more than three decades ago by the Archdiocese of New York. I am pleased to recognize the outstanding work of the Center as it continues to provide medical support and rehabilitative services to residents and patients of all backgrounds, while simultaneously encouraging their independence and self-sufficiency. Tonight we celebrate the hard work of the Center's generous staff, as well as the contributions to civic life of several noteworthy community leaders. I join you in saluting last year's honorees for their devotion to quality health care.

A long-standing presence in the community, the Terence Cardinal Cook Health Care Center has been committed to providing compassionate medical treatment since 1890. With respect for human life and dignity as its principal focus, the Center strives to maintain a broad range of high-quality health care services for its residents and patients in its long-term 729-bed facility and two outpatient clinics. The Center operates many clinical programs that address a wide variety of health issues, from developmental disabilities to chronic illnesses. While upholding its high standard for compassion and kindness, the Center provides comprehensive and innovative treatment to the community.

Last month, the Center held its annual Flower Ball at the Pierre Hotel in Manhattan. I congratulate last year's honorees, Michael J. Brescia, M.D., Executive Director of Calvary Hospital; Victoria L. Sharp, M.D., Director of the HIV Center at St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center; J. Anthony SanFillipo, M.D.; and David Kamp, President of Dirworks Landscape Architecture.

Each of last year's honored guests is an exceptional civic leader whose life work reflects the mission of the Center. Almost 50 years ago, Dr. Michael Brescia helped develop the AV fistula, one of the most popular methods of vascular access for hemodialysis in the world. After assuming the position of Director of the HIV Center at St. Luke's- Roosevelt in 1997, Dr. Victoria Sharp has tirelessly worked on behalf of those living with HIV/AIDS, including many of society's most disadvantaged citizens and incarcerated individuals. Dr. J. Anthony SanFillipo has been a dedicated board member of the Terence Cardinal Cooke Health Care Center for many years and will receive the Partnership Award for his hard work, dedication, and extraordinary service. Over the years, David Kamp and his company have generously offered their time and expertise on a pro bono basis to render the gardens of the Center a welcome oasis of beauty and tranquillity in a densely urban environment.

In serving the Center, each of the honorees has demonstrated remarkable dedication, and has been an inspiration not only to staff and patients, but to all New Yorkers. In devoting their time and energy so generously to others, they remind us that every individual can make a difference.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my distinguished colleagues rise to join me in paying tribute to the Terence Cardinal Cooke Health Care Center and its distinguished 2010 honorees.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the Honorable Conrad Foa, an outstanding New Yorker who has distinguished himself as a leader in the worlds of business, philanthropy, and civic and political affairs. A Member of the New York State Democratic Committee, Mr. Foa's contributions to the community were recognized at the annual dinner gala of the Lexington Democratic Club last month. As the first ``reform club'' in New York City, the Lexington Democratic Club strives for inclusive civic participation in our nation's greatest metropolis, and Conrad Foa is a proud heir to that great reform tradition.

As the Democratic State Committee Member representing the 73rd Assembly District on the East Side of Manhattan, and as a Member of Manhattan Community Board 8, Conrad Foa has distinguished himself as a dynamic and forceful leader for his community. He and his wife Linda Foa were both born in Manhattan, as were both of their sons Justin and Barrett. As a lifelong resident of Manhattan's Upper East Side, Conrad Foa has volunteered his time and effort to maintaining and improving the quality of life for his fellow Upper East Siders, and has thrown himself in public life by twice running for a seat in the New York State Senate. In recognition of his outstanding leadership abilities, the Democratic voters of New York's 73rd Assembly District elected Conrad Foa to the New York State Democratic Committee in 2006.

Conrad Foa has also distinguished himself as a premier leader in the insurance industry. As the principal of Chairman of Foa & Son, a leading insurance brokerage firm which negotiates insurance coverage on behalf of the consumer, he ushered his family-owned enterprise into the twenty-first century. The firm's proud tradition is now being carried on by its President, Conrad and Linda's son Justin, who is the fifth generation Foa to head the firm, which will be celebrating its sesquicentennial anniversary next year.

Conrad Foa's leadership and achievements have been recognized on many occasions by his colleagues and peers. He is a past President and Director of the Insurance Brokers Association of the State of New York, and was instrumental in getting two pro-consumer bills passed to keep jobs and holding insurance premiums down. He was named a member of several prestigious and exclusive associations for business leaders, including the Young Presidents Organization, the World Presidents Organization, and the Chief Executives Organization. Mr. Foa is Founder of the International Executives Association and a past President and Director of Executives' Association of Greater New York, a networking organization which promotes New York businesses. A dedicated philanthropist, he also served as Member of the Board of Directors of the Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies. He is a graduate of the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania and received a Master's Degree in Economics from The London School of Economics.

Despite all his activity in business, civic, and political life, Conrad Foa has always remained dedicated above all to his family. He and his wife Linda are the proud parents of their sons Justin and Barrett, an accomplished actor and performer, and doting grandparents to Justin's son, Max.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my distinguished colleagues join me recognizing the enormous contributions to our civic and political life made by the Honorable Conrad Foa, a great New Yorker and a great American.

I thank all of my colleagues, especially the New York delegation and the Speaker and Leader Hoyer.

Today, Congress repays a long overdue debt and answers the emergency calls of our ailing 9/11 first responders and survivors. This bill will save lives. It has taken too long, but help finally is here for the thousands of Americans who are suffering because of 9/11.

Our bill will give support and hope to more than 36,000 Americans who are ailing because of the attacks on our Nation. It also says to future generations that if you are harmed in the service of our country, you will be taken care of.

I couldn't be more proud of everyone who fought like hell to pass this bill, our Senators Gillibrand and Schumer, my good friends and coauthors Nadler and King, the 9/11 responders and survivors who are here with us, and the thousands of their brothers and sisters who could not be. John Feal, you have been a warrior for this bill. Thank you.

Just after the attacks, this body came together. With this bill, we put in law that we will never forget and do whatever it takes.

Madam Speaker, today, I proudly rise to support the James Zadroga 9/ 11 Health and Compensation Act. Passing this bill and getting it to the President's desk will truly be a Christmas miracle.

When Jerry Nadler and I first introduced a 9/11 bill, we never would have thought it could take 7 years or that it could be the last legislative item out the door. It should never have taken so long.

A TV commentator recently made a good point when he said that Pearl Harbor was not just a Hawaii issue and neither should caring for the victims of 9/11 be a New York issue. The Twin Towers were attacked as a symbol of our Nation and the sick and injured are not just from New York. After the attacks, at least 10,000 brave men and women came from all 50 states and 428 of 435 Congressional districts.

I thank my colleagues from across the country for staying to complete the last remaining gap in America's response to 9/11. Our bill will give support and hope to the more than 36,000 Americans who are ailing because of the attacks on our Nation, and it also says to future generations that if you are harmed in the service of America, you will be taken care of.

I especially thank my good friends and co-authors Jerry Nadler and Peter King, the entire New York Delegation, and Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Hoyer, who all helped pass this bill in September and are working on it today. I thank Senators Gillibrand and Schumer for tireless efforts to get this bill done.

This long-overdue legislation will provide health care and financial compensation to the responders and survivors who are sick from exposure to toxins at Ground Zero. The cost of the bill has been cut almost in half to $4.3 billion from $7.4 billion. The Victim Compensation Fund will be funded for 5 years at $2.8 billion and the health programs will be fully funded for 5 years at $1.5 billion. I thank Members of the other body for coming to this bipartisan compromise.

The offset has been entirely replaced with two other offsets and in addition to fully funding this bill, the procurement payfor will put an estimated $450 million in extra revenue toward the deficit.

We are reminded this holiday season of the importance of giving. But today I ask my colleagues to remember all that the heroes of 9/11 have already given. These individuals rushed to the site of immeasurable danger and first gave their time, and later are giving up their health, and in some cases their lives.

Nine long years have passed since the attacks. It was never the intention of the bill's authors to make this a partisan issue and I regret that it has become wrapped in party politics.

I hope that my colleagues on both sides of the aisle can come together, just as we stood together on the steps of the Capitol the evening of September 11, 2001, to show our gratitude to the responders and survivors who have given so much to our country.

There could be no better gift to America this holiday season than helping save the lives of those who came to the aid of our Nation in a time of war.

I rise today to celebrate the extraordinary leadership and work of Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, Executive Director of the UNFPA, United Nations Population Fund.

Thoraya Ahmed Obaid will retire as Executive Director of the UNFPA, United Nations Population Fund, at the end of this year. For over a decade, Thoraya has been an exceptional and dynamic leader of this important U.N. agency and key partner to the United States.

Thoraya has had a remarkable life and career where she was often the ``first'' trailblazing a path for others. Born in Saudi Arabia, her father made sure that she received the same educational opportunities as her brothers--sending her at age 7 to a Christian boarding school in Cairo, Egypt. She excelled in her studies and became the ``first'' Saudi girl to receive a government scholarship to attend Mills College in California, where she graduated with distinction.

Thoraya became the ``first'' Saudi Arabian let alone Saudi woman to head a U.N. agency. At UNFPA, Thoraya has effectively implemented and advocated for UNFPA's global mandate to ensure that every pregnancy is wanted, every birth is safe, every young person is free of HIV and AIDS, every girl, woman and young person is treated with dignity and respect, and that policies for poverty eradication are based on sound data.

Thoraya has played a pivotal role in promoting understanding of the close linkages between the implementation of the agenda of the International Conference on Population and Development and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, particularly the importance of respect for the human rights of women and greater investments in education and health for the eradication of extreme poverty and hunger. Moreover, she has a deep and abiding commitment to supporting and advocating gender equality and the empowerment of women, and giving voice to countless women, men and youth around the world to participate in enhancing their reproductive health and well-being.

Under Thoraya's leadership, UNFPA has been a model within the U.N. system on working in collaboration with civil society partners around the world to ensure that culture and rights are central to all development efforts. For example, under Thoraya's watch, UNFPA's Campaign to End Fistula is now working in over 47 countries with doctors, midwives, advocates, community leaders and policymakers to make obstetric fistula as rare in the developing world as it is in the United States.

Thoraya has accomplished much for the world's women and their families with grace, humility, compassion and professionalism. In retirement, she will be returning to the region of her birth to continue to be a vocal and passionate advocate for the most vulnerable and marginalized.

This remarkable and much admired leader will be greatly missed in the United Nations but I am confident we will continue to hear her strong and clear voice for women's well being for many years to come.

I personally thank Thoraya for her vast and tremendous contributions to the world's women.

Madam Speaker, today I introduce a bill to ensure that veterans have access to a diverse range of housing options.

In 2006, Congress passed legislation allowing veterans to use their VA loans to purchase cooperative housing. The VA loan program allows veterans to buy homes with no down payment and limited closing costs; additionally, the program offers negotiable interest rates and flexible repayment plans. With over one million housing cooperatives nationwide, extending these generous loan benefits can make affordable homeownership a reality for veterans in our districts all across the country.

This bill makes permanent the Department of Veterans Affairs loan guarantee for the purchase of residential cooperative housing units and gives veterans the freedom to choose where they live by allowing veterans to use their veterans' loans to purchase co-ops. In my district, co-ops are often the lowest cost housing. It makes no sense to deny veterans the ability to use their veterans' benefits to purchase these units. My bill will allow veterans to explore all housing options and choose the one that suits their needs.

With this legislation we can honor the service and sacrifice of our nation's veterans by giving them the tools and resources they need to pursue their dreams.