[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 59 (Friday, May 13, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 13, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
   RECOGNIZING THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE JERSEY CITY MERCHANTS COUNCIL

                                 ______


                          HON. ROBERT MENENDEZ

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 12, 1994

  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
accomplishments and contributions of the Jersey City Merchants Council, 
on the occasion of their awards luncheon, and the installation of their 
newly elected officers. The council was organized in 1950, as a 
coalition of merchants' associations representing all major shopping 
districts in the city, to prevent the destruction and deterioration of 
the retail businesses. It has been an effective voice for the small 
business owners of the city for decades.
  These merchants are the backbone of the community, and reflect the 
tremendous ethnic diversity of Jersey City. The council's new officers 
are Ms. Pat Sebron of the Greater Bergen-Lafayette Business and 
Professional Association, Mr. Michael Y. Yun of the Central Avenue 
Special Improvement District Management Corporation, Mr. Arnold 
Friedman of the Downtown Merchants Association, Mr. Thomas J. Moloney 
of the Five Corner's Business Association, Mr. Paul E. Baker of the 
Hudson Mall Merchants Association, Mr. Elliot Braha of the Journal 
Square Merchants Council, Mr. Kenneth Musico of the McGinley Square 
Merchants Association, Mr. Ken Volk of the Newport Centre Mall, and Ms. 
Jean Burns of the Westside Avenue Merchants Association.
  The importance of the council's work, however, goes beyond its 
advocacy for local merchants. Preserving Jersey City's retail shopping 
district assures a quality of life and a community suitable for area 
residents and their families.
  The council represents more than 3,000 retail stores and 
establishments in Jersey City, and regularly conducts meetings, 
seminars, and workshops for area merchants in order to keep a finger on 
the pulse of the community, and to share their insights with local 
elected officials responsible for regulation and legislation.
  In 1967, local merchants found themselves facing a wide range of 
difficulties, including a lack of municipal parking, zoning problems, 
sales tax issues, a lack of adequate police presence, and the issue of 
Sunday sales. Their commitment to the community inspired them to work 
through these obstacles, and although progress was sometimes slow, the 
same strength and dedication that have helped them succeed as business 
owners has helped them find creative solutions to their problems.
  Twenty years later, the council members voted to support the 
extension of Jersey City's Urban Enterprise Zone to include the retail 
streets of Bergen and Monticello Avenue. Through their efforts, they 
were able to secure funding through the city sales tax to be used on 
projects to enhance the shopping districts, including public safety 
programs, improved lighting, and storefront facade repairs.
  The efforts of the members of the Merchants Council have been pivotal 
to the defeat of a proposed city license tax to be imposed on 
retailers, the repeal of a city payroll tax, and the exemption on 
clothing and other necessities from State sales taxes. In addition, the 
merchants have been active working to preserve Sunday as a day for 
family activities by promoting prohibitions on Sunday sales.
  Mr. Speaker, the Jersey City Merchants Council is a wonderful example 
of how urban communities can come together to preserve their 
neighborhoods through cooperation between retailers, residents, and 
local government. I commend them to the retail communities of other 
American cities as an excellent model for local initiative, and ask my 
colleagues to join me in recognizing their accomplishments.

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