[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 141 (Monday, October 3, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: October 3, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
      TRIBUTE TO FIFTH ANNUAL FATHER ROGER GIGLIO DINNER HONOREES

                                 ______


                          HON. JOSE E. SERRANO

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 3, 1994

  Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Justice Fred W. 
Eggert, Mr. Richard Heitler, Ms. Nina Laboy, Ms. Carolyn Spain, and Mr. 
and Mrs. Chang Hyun Woo, who will be honored this Friday October 7 at 
the fifth annual Father Roger Giglio Dinner held by the St. Benedict 
the Moor community-based AIDS and Drug rehabilitation program in the 
Bronx.
  Justice Eggert, who retired this year, has been a lifelong resident 
of the Bronx. As a decorated veteran of World War II, he returned to 
the Bronx to attend Fordham College and Fordham Law School. Upon 
admission to the bar he commenced a 26-year career as a lawyer, during 
which time he served as an assistant district attorney and, for 9 
years, as a member of the New York State assembly. He was elected a 
Bronx County civil court judge in 1974, and went on to serve on the 
supreme court for Bronx County for 18 years.
  Richard Heitler is assistant commissioner for property management of 
the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development. 
During his 7 years in this position Mr. Heiter has gained a reputation 
for being one of the most caring, knowledgeable, and responsive members 
of the city government. Charged with the management of some 30,000 
apartments taken over by the city for non-payment of taxes Mr. Heitler 
is effectively the landlord for some of New York's poorest, most 
vulnerable residents. He is highly regarded for having improved housing 
conditions and for having professionalized the operation of the 
property management office.
  Carolyn Love Spain's story is one of determination and perseverance. 
Having married in 1960 and reared three children, she returned to 
school in 1979 to earn her high school equivalency diploma, which she 
received the following year. Her college studies were interrupted by 
the birth of a fourth child in 1981, but she returned to the College of 
New Rochelle in 1985 and received her bachelor of arts degree in May 
1989. From 1984 through 1993 Carolyn Love Spain was an educational 
volunteer in a number of different capacities: at Milbrook Head Start, 
as a literacy tutor at Mott Haven Library, at an after school program 
at St. Peter's Church, and in the Parent Associations of Public School 
40 and Intermediate School 139. In January of this year she turned 
professional, beginning work as a substitute teacher at Intermediate 
School 139.
  Mr. and Mrs. Chang Hyun Woo immigrated to the South Bronx from Korea 
in 1987. After working together only a short time in a local fruit 
store, that same year they made their immigrant's dream come true by 
opening the OK Fruit Market. Throughout the 7 years they have lived 
there Mr. and Mrs. Woo have been very active members of the South Bronx 
community.
  Last, but certainly not least, Nina Laboy has been one of New York 
City's most valuable community activists for more than 15 years. A 
founding member of the National Congress for Puerto Rican Rights, she 
chairs and has served as director of a Better Bronx for Youth. She is 
currently the director of the voter participation project of the 
Community Service Society, and is the driving force behind the South 
Bronx Clean air Coalition, a nationally recognized environmental 
justice organization. From youth empowerment to community planning, and 
from AIDS services to homeless assistance, Nina Laboy works tirelessly 
to address the wide range of difficult problems faced by our 
disadvantaged communities.
  Mr. Speaker, this year's honorees pay great tribute to the memory of 
Father Roger Giglio, whose own life was a shining example of community 
service. I ask my colleagues to join me and the St. Benedict the Moor 
community treatment center in saluting their past and ongoing efforts.

                          ____________________