Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, great healthcare organizations are a tremendous asset to any community. St. Joseph's Medical Center's Family Residency Program has undoubtedly been one of those fantastic assets in Westchester, helping train and ready the family physicians of tomorrow now for over 4 decades.

Established in 1974, the medical center was the first Residency Program of its kind in the entire Westchester County. Beginning with one resident in the mid-1970's, the program has grown over the years to now have 30 residents, with an annual graduating class of 10.

The program's residents learn to treat the whole patient, become aware of family dynamics, and emphasize prevention and education in the practice of medicine. Although the residency program started at a time when primary care had been outpaced by specialization, it has become increasingly more important as our nation's healthcare system and the public recognize the value of prevention and patient centered care.

All told, the Family Medicine Residency program has graduated 312 family physicians over the course of its 40 year existence. Many of those graduating physicians have chosen to stay in Westchester, and have developed into some of the finest physicians in the entire country. Others have gone on to complete fellowships and teach at major medical centers and university hospitals.

The St. Joseph's community is proud to have such a distinguished residency program that has produced so many outstanding family physicians. As the elected representative of St. Joseph's in Congress, I am equally proud to say that I have one of the premiere residency programs in the world housed within my district.

In recognition of the program's many contributions to Saint Joseph's, the Medical Center presented the Family Medicine Residency Program with the 2014 Outstanding Service Award. It was a well deserved honor and I want to congratulate all of the talented and dedicated men and women who have made the program such a tremendous success.

Mr. Speaker, those who dedicate themselves to improving their neighborhood become cornerstones of the community. Barbara P. Smith is one of those cornerstones in Yonkers, who for 32 years has been an educator, civic leader and crusader.

Barbara began bettering the Yonkers community in 1982 as a teacher at the Orchard School at Andrus Children's Home on North Broadway. She taught a range of subjects from math and science to social studies and home economics. Eventually Barbara was elevated to Assistant Principal and in 1994 she and the school were recognized for their efforts and achievements with an invitation to the White House to meet then President Clinton. Barbara subsequently returned to the classroom where she could take a more hands on approach to teaching.

Outside of the classroom, Barbara has engaged in a number of civic groups aimed at serving the community. For the past 36 years she has served as board member and President of the Hudson River Community Association (HRCA) of Northwest Yonkers, a once dormant organization she helped resurrect.

Barbara has also generously given her time to organizations like the Yonkers Committee for Smart Development, which she served as an advisor to in 2008, and the advisory board for the First District of Council Woman Pat McDow in 2007. When time permits, she also likes to partake in a wide array of volunteer work aimed at community improvement. Barbara shares the same goals as the organizations she works with: to stabilize, improve, support and promote the wonderful city of Yonkers. I believe she has achieved those goals admirably.

Last year, the Luther V. Garrison Masonic Foundation Inc. Scholarship Committee honored Barbara as their Woman of the Year for 2014. It was a supremely appropriate honor for one of Yonkers' most dedicated citizens. Congratulations to her on receiving such well-deserved recognition.

Mr. Speaker, those who choose the path of civic engagement can accomplish wonderful things for their communities. In Yonkers there are few who can claim they have done more to support the local neighborhoods than Jerry Galella.

Born seven minutes before his twin brother, Jerry grew up in the Bronx and is the oldest of three children. After graduating from Dewitt Clinton High School, Jerry served in the United States Army from 1971 to 1973 and after his discharge became a grocery store manager for the next 40 years.

In 2007, Jerry became a full-fledged member of the Yonkers community when he joined the ShopRite of Greenway Plaza as Store Director. Remarkably, in the seven years Jerry has been with ShopRite he has become affiliated with over 25 different churches and numerous other community organizations throughout Yonkers. His volunteer work has included helping out with three college scholarship funds, including the Yonkers African American Cultural Club, the Dominican Cultural Club of Yonkers, and the Hispanic Professional Scholarship fund. As a result of his efforts, Jerry has been honored various accolades and awards from a wide array of schools, churches, and veterans' associations, just to name a few.

As devoted to helping out the community as Jerry is, his real passion is for his family. He met his wife, Linda, at age 13 in 8th grade, and was immediately smitten. The teenage sweethearts would later become married and for the past 32 years have lived together in Carmel, NY. Over the course of their 40 year marriage Jerry and Linda have raised three wonderful children and have six amazing grand children, all who live within 15 miles of each other. Jerry also generously gives his time to many different organizations in the Carmel community, ranging from little league to organizations assisting veterans of the Vietnam War.

In 2014, the Luther V. Garrison SR. Masonic Foundation Inc. Scholarship Committee named Jerry Galella their 2014 Man of the Year. He was incredibly deserving of the honor, and I wish to congratulate him on receiving the well-deserved recognition.

Mr. Speaker, religion often has the power to inspire and motivate a person in truly remarkable ways that can shape entire communities. That has certainly been the case with Luba Glasser, a constituent of mine who has volunteered her time and energy for numerous Jewish organizations.

Luba was born in Moscow and immigrated to the United States with her family at the age of four. She was enrolled in a Jewish Day School so that she would receive a Jewish education, something she could not have attained in the former Soviet Union, and began to gain a love and appreciation for Judaism.

Luba's faith became the impetus for her volunteerism, which began in 2005 with the Russian American Jewish Experience (RAJE). Luba spent all of her free evenings and weekends helping the RAJE with the organization of their Shabbat and holiday programs, social events, and student trips to Israel, all while successfully maintaining a day job as a Real Estate Tax Consultant for New York Water Management.

In 2006, Luba joined RAJE as their full-time Fellowship Coordinator, where she was responsible for the student and young adult Jewish identity and community development programming. Over the next three years Luba staffed over 15 trips to Israel.

Luba's devotion to the Jewish community led her to return to school, where she received her LMSW from Yeshiva University in 2011. She then began working with Holocaust survivors at the Jewish Community Council of Greater Coney Island and joined the Northeast Jewish Center (NEJC) community, which became her permanent home.

Luba married Craig Glasser in 2012 and shortly thereafter became the proud mother of Aaron Dov. In spite of everything on her plate, Luba continues to open her home to the community for Shabbos dinners, cook for synagogue events, maintain the NEJC website, and teach classes. She is a beacon of light for the NEJC community and was incredibly deserving of being the organization's honoree in 2014.

Mr. Speaker, a life filled with civic engagement enriches the soul and has the ability to raise entire communities. Such has been the case with Margaret O. Griffin, better known to her friends and family as Ollie, whose dedication to the St. Joseph's Medical Center and beyond has had a profound and lasting impact in Yonkers and the surrounding areas.

Ollie was born in Yonkers and attended St. Denis Grammar School, then Sacred Heart High School. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from Marquette University and upon graduation began working as a research aide at Sloan-Kettering Institute in Rye. After working for the Boyce Thompson Institute for Plant Research, Ollie returned to school for a Master of Science degree followed by a Ph.D. in Biology from Fordham University.

In 1994, Ollie retired from research and teaching which allowed her to increase her involvement in community affairs. She served on the boards of Fox House and the Ireland Fund and was a trustee of the Woman's Institute for many years. Ollie was also a long-time member of the Saint Joseph's Seminary Festival Chorale, which she was privileged to sing with at the Pallium ceremony in Rome.

Ollie continues to be an active member in several other community clubs, including the Morsemere Garden Club, the Bonita Quilters, the Pelican Patchers and the Pelican Landing Singers. The highlight of Ollie's community service though has been her work at St. Joseph's, which began in 1993 as a trustee. She has served as an active and enthusiastic member until September of 2014 and made many great contributions to the center's development and success.

Ollie's other great passion has been her three children, Colleen, Daniel, and Katherine, who she raised with her beloved husband, William, to whom she was married for 52 years. She also takes great pride in her six grandchildren, Shannon, William, Jack, Michael, Sean, and Brian.

St. Joseph's Medical Center honored Ollie with the 2014 Outstanding Service Award, and a more fitting honoree they could not have found. Congratulations to Ollie on receiving this wonderful honor.

Mr. Speaker, there are few professions that serve the public good like healthcare. Committing one's life to providing people with excellent medical care is a noble calling, a calling Nadem Sayegh has answered with distinction.

A lifelong resident of Yonkers, Nadem decided to pursue a career in medicine, and became a specialist in the field of Endocrinology.

Following medical school, Nadem opened a private practice in 1994 and later became Manager of Southern Westchester Diabetes, with offices in both the Bronx and Yonkers. In addition, he also operates Broadway Medical Services, a clinic in Yonkers serving a diverse population of residents. The clinic was scheduled to close in 2009, but through Nadem's incredible efforts the clinic is not only open, but thriving, and now treats more than 15,000 patients every year, an incredible feat.

Nadem has been recognized by many organizations over the years for his commitment to healthcare excellence. He was honored by the Jessie Banks Foundation for his contributions to those affected with diabetes, and in 2013 received the Father of the Year Award by the American Diabetes Association, an organization of which he was later named New York Chapter President.

Nadem's community involvement also extends beyond the field of medicine. He has served the Virgin Mary Church since its inception in 1966 and has done public speaking and counseling work for numerous organizations.

But for Nadem, his greatest blessing has always been his family; his beautiful wife Diana, and their three sons, all currently enrolled in college. Their love and support has been instrumental to Nadem's success and the growth of his work.

A true pillar of the healthcare community, Nadem served on the medical board of St. Joseph's Medical Center and became its President in 2006-2007. The center decided to honor Nadem with the 2014 Outstanding Service Award, and its safe to say they found a particularly deserving honoree. Congratulations to Nadem on the honor.

Mr. Speaker, civic minded community groups are only as strong and effective as the members who lead them. That is why the Bronx-Westchester South Division of Kiwanis, under the leadership of Lieutenant Governor Frank Riti, has been so successful.

As Lieutenant Governor, Frank has overseen 12 Kiwanis Clubs in his division, including those in Bronx Shore, Hartsdale, Mount Vernon, North East Bronx, Riverdale and Yonkers. He has made 3 official visits to each club and during his tenure has made a point of hosting events that bring all divisions together to create a communal spirit in the Kiwanis organization.

Working to fulfill the goals set forth by New York State Kiwanis Governor Joseph Aiello, Frank encouraged all of his clubs to participate in the Governor's Project which centered on autism awareness. With Frank's hard work the South Division was able to raise critical funds for autism causes and hold programs dedicated to raising awareness. Frank was also instrumental in the ``Treats for Troops'' Kiwanis program which sent gift packages to our young men and women serving overseas. Both the Governor's Project and ``Treats for the Troops'' were highly successful.

Frank was also a big supporter of the Kiwanis International project ``Eliminate'' which deals with maternal neo-natal tetanus issues plaguing families on a global scale. Frank's ability to bring his 12 clubs together to support these causes was what made them successful, and led to their collective contributions being recognized by both the New York State District and International Kiwanis respectively.

Prior to his wonderful work with Kiwanis, Frank worked in the health care field, serving as head of occupational therapy in nursing homes in both Westchester and the Bronx. Frank was beloved by both his staff and patients and gave many years of service to the field.

The Yonkers Kiwanis Club honored Frank at a dinner which celebrated their 85 years of service to the Yonkers community in 2014. I believe there was no more fitting honoree than Frank Riti, and wish to offer him my sincerest congratulations on that wonderful recognition.

Mr. Speaker, sometimes a simple civic organization intended to help and improve a small community can turn into a pillar of hope for an entire city. That has undoubtedly been the case with Regional Aid for Interim Needs, or RAIN, thanks in large part to its founder, Beatrice Castiglia-Catullo.

Bea has given her life to her community and always advocates on behalf of those marginalized. RAIN was founded in 1964 to serve those in need as a multi-social service agency. It provides an array of invaluable services to the senior community of the Bronx, many of whom are handicapped, home bound, or otherwise incapable of providing themselves with certain necessities.

RAIN has full-service neighborhood senior centers, home-delivered meals, transportation services, assistance with benefits and entitlements, case management and elder abuse services, in addition to community-based mobile meals for homeless and hungry persons. Their commitment to helping the elderly population has also led to the sponsorship of two residential housing projects for low-income seniors and an affiliated home attendant program that provides in-home attendant and care services.

Building off their incredible success in the Bronx, RAIN has recently expanded its services to Manhattan and has licensed to provide Home Health Care in all five New York City boroughs as well as Westchester County.

This type of wonderful advocacy has all been made possible by Bea, whose passion and drive is still to this day the heartbeat of the RAIN operation. Her legacy of procuring funding for 1600 meals on wheels, 325 daily meals to the hungry and homeless, and 11 senior centers is truly remarkable, and her life has been a tremendous inspiration to me as I serve the public in Congress.

RAIN celebrated Bea's 98th birthday at their 50th Anniversary celebration on October 30th, 2014. I want to personally thank Bea for all she has done and all she continues to do for the constituents in my district and well beyond. She has created something truly phenomenal and should be incredibly proud of the achievement.

Mr. Speaker, those who selflessly give of themselves to serve their country and community are a special breed. Such is the case with Louis Navarro, who currently serves as Director of the City of Yonkers Office of Veterans' Affairs.

Louis was appointed to that position in 2013 under current Mayor Mike Spano. The appointment was an easy one for the mayor, based on Louis' impressive career in the armed forces. He served his country with distinction in the United States Army for over three decades as both an active duty and reserve soldier.

Louis received numerous medals for his time in the armed forces, including the Vietnam Campaign Medals, the Good Conduct Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Bronze Star Medal and the Combat Infantry Badge.

Louis is also a member of several important veteran related organizations, including the Vietnam Veterans of America, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the American Legion.

On a more local level, Louis has taken an active role in many Yonkers events and committees. He served as Chairman of the Puerto Rican Day Parade Committee and was the 1st Vice Commander of the Yonkers Central Committee of Veterans Organizations, where he also doubled as the Chairman of the Yonkers Memorial Day Parade in 2013.

Despite a lifetime of great accomplishments serving his country and community, Louis remains most proud of the love and support he receives from his family, including his wife, Donna, and their children, Kaylan and James.

In 2014 the Salvation Army added to Louis' list of accomplishments by honoring him at their annual dinner. I want to echo their sentiments of congratulations to Louis Navarro for all he has done to protect and better the lives of Americans and the brave men and women who have served in our armed forces for many years. This honor is extremely well-deserved.

Mr. Speaker, a lifetime of service to one's community is a truly astonishing feat, which is why I want to take a moment to recognize the contributions of Mary Hoar to Yonkers.

Mary's story is one of continued service to better her community, both as a professional and in her personal life. Following her graduation from Cornell University, Mary began her career as a school teacher in Yonkers. Computer technology was always a big part of Mary's interests as an educator, and became a primary component of her teaching. She went on to teach computer technology to adults later in life.

While Mary was cultivating her professional career she was simultaneously beginning her foray into community service. She started by giving her time to Yonkers Jay-N-Cee, serving as Secretary, Treasurer and President. In 1977, Mary received one of the state division's highest honors, the Distinguished Service Award, and was later bestowed the Key to the City of Yonkers for her work with the organization.

Mary soon began branching out after her success with Jay-N-Cee, first by giving her time to the Yonkers Red Cross, serving as Branch Chairman and Vice Chairman as well as Chair of their Centennial, Youth Services and Competition Committees.

Mary then became involved with the Westchester March of Dimes, working on the very first Yonkers Walkathon Coordinating Committee. She then served on the Executive Board of the Northern Metro Chapter of the March of Dimes for 17 years, and was instrumental in the organizations Reading Olympics, Golden Gala and Tennis Tournament.

Mary's list of volunteer services has also included stints on the mayor's Community Relations Committee, the board of Family Services Society in Yonkers and, currently, she serves as president of the Yonkers Historical Society.

The Salvation Army honored Mary for all she has done for Yonkers at their 2014 annual dinner. The honor was incredibly well deserved. Congratulations to Mary Hoar on this recognition.

Mr. Speaker, the Yonkers community is filled with heroes that have gone above and beyond the call of duty to their neighborhood. One of those heroes, Ken Davis, has a particularly noteworthy list of achievements as a Yonkers resident and public servant.

Ken is a graduate of Yonkers Public Schools and received an AAS Degree from Sullivan Community College. Later, he received a BS Degree in Fine Arts Education from the College of Mount Saint Vincent and an MS Degree in Human Resources from Mercy College.

After school, Ken joined the United States Marine Corps Reserves and became an officer in the Yonkers police force. Currently a Detective assigned to the Gang/Narcotics Program, he has worked on several high profile assignments, including the department's Re-Entry Program, Third Precinct Task Force, Housing Unit, and has also served as a School Resource Officer, an Instructor at the Westchester Police Academy, and a Community Affairs Officer. In his time on the force, Ken has received several awards, certificates and honors for his work through the department.

As a Graffiti and Gang Specialist, Ken has made presentations at the National Gang Crime Research Center in Chicago, and Canada's Anti- Graffiti Symposium about methods of gang prevention.

In his private time, Ken serves the Yonkers community with volunteer work for the scholarship committee and in 2005 served as worshipful Master of James H. Farrell Lodge #34, Prince Hall Free and Accepted Masons of Yonkers.

For both his private and professional commitment to bettering the Yonkers community, the Luther V. Garrison Sr. Masonic Foundation Inc. Scholarship Committee has named Ken Davis their 2014 Community Volunteer Service Award winner. He is most deserving of this distinguished honor and I wish to congratulate and thank him for all he has done for the people and city of Yonkers.

Mr. Speaker, some community members have the unique ability to shape their entire neighborhood for the better. For the Bronx's 47th Precinct community, that person who has shaped and improved the neighborhood for the better has been Elizabeth Gill.

Elizabeth was born and raised by her Caribbean parents in the Bronx. She has been a lifelong community advocate who has worked with a wide variety of civic organizations, both as a member and volunteer. She currently serves at the New York City Police Department 47th Precinct Community Council President, a post she has held for over 20 years. Other organizations that she has done work for include the 47th Precinct Crisis Intervention Team; North Bronx Williamsbridge Branch of the NAACP; Mount Vernon Police Department Community Board; St. Mary's Hospital for Children With Special Needs; the 47th Precinct annual fellowship Breakfast Planning Committee; The Selective Service Board; and the Co-op City Public Committee. Elizabeth has also worked to procure many grants for the entire 47th Precinct community, with funding going towards community affairs vans, auxiliary vests, bicycles for police officers, and a command center bus.

As a result of her accomplishments, Elizabeth has received a host of community service awards. She has been honored by the Korean Merchants Association of the Northeast Bronx, the Police Reserve association of the City of New York, and the New York State association of Black and Puerto Rican Legislators, just to name a few.

This year Elizabeth is celebrating her 85th birthday, and on the occasion I wish to congratulate her for all of her wonderful accomplishments. I am truly proud to be able to say I represent such a fine community member in the United States House of Representatives.

Mr. Speaker, community partners who are truly dedicated to serving the public good are an invaluable asset to any elected official in government. As the Representative of New York's 16th district I have had the pleasure of working with some truly remarkable community leaders, none more remarkable than my dear friend, Westchester Jewish Council Executive Director Elliot Forchheimer.

Raised in Kew Gardens, Queens, Elliot's love affair with Jewish communal life started at the legendary Cejwin Camps, where he was inspired to pursue a career in the Jewish community. He became an Administrator at Camp Ramah and went on the join the Young Israel of Scarsdale, where he was a Youth Director for six years under the mentorship of the late Rabbi Jacob Rubenstein.

In 1996 Elliot joined the UJA-Federation of New York in the Program Services department, serving in a position focused on camps and JCC's. Shortly thereafter he became the very first Director of Westchester Program Services and Agency Relations for UJA-Federation's Westchester Office. After a stint at Synagogue 2000, Elliot returned to UJA- Federation's Commission on Jewish Identity and Renewal, focusing on synagogue relations.

Elliot's greatest professional privilege however has been serving for the last 10 years as the Executive Director of the Westchester Jewish Council. In this role he has steered the proverbial ship at WJC, working with elected officials, community groups, and over 150 Jewish organizations that span the breadth of Jewish expression. Elliot has helped ensure that Westchester remains a bastion of mutual respect and cooperation amongst all community members.

In addition to his phenomenal career achievements, Elliot has created an incredible legacy at home, with his beloved wife, Joan, and their two children, Ilana and Jacob. They are his true pride and joy.

This year, the WJC is honoring Elliot at their 39th Anniversary Gala for all he has done to better the Westchester community. I am honored to be able to congratulate Elliot on this incredible achievement, and I am even more honored to be able to call this incredible community partner my friend.

Mr. Speaker, a life dedicated to serving the public good is not only noble, it is inspirational. Hadassah Lieberman's life, spent working on everything from health issues to educational improvement, is one of those tremendous inspirations.

Hadassah's reach and influence has extended from the Riverdale neighborhood all the way out to the international community. Born in the Czech Republic, Hadassah and her family left Eastern Europe in 1949 for Massachusetts. A graduate of Boston University, Hadassah earned a degree in Government and Dramatics and later received a Masters Degree in International Relations and American Government at Northeastern University.

Her studies and interests steered her to a host of organizations dedicated to serving the public good. Currently, Hadassah is on the board of Open University and is a former Global Ambassador with Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the world's largest network of breast cancer survivors and activists. She developed an Advisory Network for Women's Health to promote awareness and prevention of heart disease, and is a former Director of HFL & Associates, a firm dedicated to expanding domestic and international awareness of nonprofit organizations.

Hadassah has also dedicated a tremendous amount of time to community service through her work with Meridian House, the Auschwitz Jewish Center Foundation, and the United States Holocaust Memorial Council.

Hadassah's true pride and joy though is her family; her husband, former Senator Joe Lieberman, their four children, and ten grandchildren. Since returning to Riverdale with Joe, Hadassah has experienced the great warmth of the Chabad community, and has had an active role in its growth and promotion. I am proud to not only count Hadassah and Joe as constituents but to also call them friends.

Chabad of Riverdale is honoring Hadassah at this year's celebration dinner. I want to congratulate her on this wonderful honor.

Mr. Speaker, as the Representative of the great 16th Congressional District of New York I have the pleasure and honor of representing many wonderful groups. One of those wonderful organizations, Chabad Lubavitch of Riverdale, is hosting their ``Celebrating 23 Years of Kindness'' dinner on January 24th, and I couldn't be more thrilled to recognize them on this occasion.

Founded in 1992 under the guidance of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Chabad Lubavitch of Riverdale seeks to strengthen the cultural bonds of Jewish identity through spiritual outreach, adult education, childhood education, daycare, day camps, Sabbath and Festival services and hospital visitation.

As one of 2,700 centers in 70 different countries, Chabad Lubavitch of Riverdale embraces the Chabad Lubavitch philosophy, teaching understanding and recognition of the Creator as a means of reinforcing and nurturing Jewish culture. For the entire Chabad Lubavitch community, refining and governing one's actions through wisdom, comprehension, and knowledge is the true key to a fulfilled life, and it is in this vein that Chabad

Lubavitch of Riverdale has worked to improve the lives of the Jewish population in the community.

As community centers go, Chabad Lubavitch of Riverdale has always shown a great deal of warmth as they embrace the very young to the old and everyone in between that live in the neighborhood.

By utilizing contemporary approaches to traditional values they have gone a long way toward reinvigorating the Jewish community. I want to thank my friend Rabbi Levi Shemtov, the entire leadership team and members of Chabad for all they have done and continue to do for our community. Congratulations again to Chabad Lubavitch of Riverdale on 23 great years of service.