[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 82 (Wednesday, May 17, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1061]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



[[Page E1061]]

         ROB WALSH HONORED FOR EXTRAORDINARY COMMUNITY SERVICE

                                 ______


                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 17, 1995
  Mr. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring to the attention of 
my colleagues the efforts of an extraordinary individual who lives and 
works in my district, Rob Walsh.
  Mr. Speaker, too often, the stories of those who make a difference in 
their communities are drowned out by the tragedies which split our 
community. Pick up any newspaper on any given day. Headlines will 
scream of the latest crime; columnists will lament the many foibles of 
our society. The quieter success stories largely go unreported, 
unremarked upon.
  I believe it is critically important that we do a better job of 
telling the success stories, that we do a better job of being role 
models for our Nation's youth. I therefore take the House floor today 
to recognize the efforts of a man who has done so much for so many. I 
would also like to say that I am extremely pleased that Rob Walsh will 
be receiving the prestigious Annual Cancer Care Community Service Award 
this Sunday.
  Before I go into Bob's many achievements, I want to take a moment to 
congratulate Cancer Care for its dedication to providing free and 
comprehensive clinical services, education, and financial assistance to 
patients and their families at any stage of illness. Cancer Care works 
cooperatively and effectively with the many hospitals and health 
institutions in my district and New York in general, to provide 
critical services to those who are most in need. I cannot say enough 
about the compassion and commitment of Cancer Care to its mission.
  I also want to commend Cancer Care on their judgment. Each year, 
Cancer Care bestows it's Community Service Award to someone who makes 
significant contributions to the community. This year's recipient will 
surprise no one who has spent any time over the past 5 years in the 
14th Street-Union Square area.
  In 1989 Rob Walsh became the executive director of the 14th Street-
Union Square Local Development Corp. and business improvement district. 
Rob came prepared.
  Rob's service in New York City government had been as varied as it 
was successful. In fact, it seemed that there was no bureau of 
government which had not benefitted from Rob's considerable energies. 
He had served in the mayor's office of operations as a voter assistance 
coordinator, the transportation department, the parks department the 
personnel department, and the general services department. In addition, 
Rob has a master's degree in public affairs from Fordham University, 
where he also relieved his undergraduate degree.
  Since taking the helm of the 14th Street-Union Square LDC/BID, Rob 
has overseen unprecedented efforts to revitalize a community which has 
fallen on hard times. During the 1980's, 14th Street had become a drug 
infested areas, people by prostitutes, and covered with graffiti. Union 
Square, once one of New York's greatest public spaces, was now best 
known
 for its nickname ``Needle Park.''

  Rob Walsh, thankfully, is not a man who shrinks from a challenge. 
With his remarkable energy, intelligence, and can-do attitude, Rob has 
led the efforts to turn the neighborhood around. Stop by Union Square 
on a sunny spring day and you will see the difference.
  New businesses move into this thriving neighborhood every day. 
Children and workers on their lunch break pack into beautiful and 
accessible Union Square. Stuyvesant Square Park is now the kind of well 
maintained open space that every member of the community can enjoy. The 
streets are cleaner and safer and there exists the kind of 
communitywide pride which is so characteristic of the best 
neighborhoods of New York and any city.
  As Rob will be the first to say, this turnaround was the product of 
efforts by hundreds and thousands of caring members of the community. 
But I am not sure it could have happened without Rob's leadership. As 
the ``Mayor of Union Square,'' Rob has directed the efforts, and led 
the battle at the front lines. He can always be found, walking the 
streets, checking on his latest brainstorms.
  There is, of course, much work left to be done. But Rob's commitment 
to the values which make this community great--affordable housing, 
opportunities for our kids, safe streets, and economic growth--will 
certainly guide his future efforts in the right direction.
  I should also point out that Rob also volunteers his time to a number 
of important groups in our city including New York Cares, the 
Vanderbilt YMCA, Beth Israel Medical Center community advisory council, 
Cabrini Medical Center advisory council, NYC Urban Fellows advisory 
board, Washington Irving High School business advisory council, and the 
mayor's Voluntary Action Center. And with all of his efforts, Rob 
remains a devoted husband to his lovely Terry and is a doting father to 
his beautiful daughter Cara, perhaps the most important job of all.
  Mr. Speaker, I am grateful to Cancer Care for giving me this 
opportunity to tell a true New York success story. Rob Walsh deserves 
our most sincere thanks for all of his efforts on behalf of his 
community, and I hope that all of my colleagues will join me in 
congratulating him at this time.


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