[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 82 (Wednesday, May 17, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1062-E1063]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


           LORETTA PONTICELLO HONORED FOR LIFETIME OF SERVICE

                                 ______


                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 17, 1995
  Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to stand before 
my distinguished colleagues today to honor Ms. Loretta Ponticello.
  Its has been my observation that we are so consumed with the problems 
and negativism that plague our Nation that we sometimes forget about 
those who are working to solve these problems. We ignore the heroes who 
are right in our midst, choosing instead to talk about the the bad news 
that dominates the news.
  This situation needs to be corrected. That's why I take this 
opportunity to honor one of these heroes. She may not be featured in a 
movie or on television, but there can be little doubt that Loretta 
Ponticello is a hereo to all who know her.
  First, let me talk a little bit about Loretta's remarkable business 
career. By combining her great aptitude for business with a high 
standard of integrity and diligence, Ms. Ponticello has brought success 
wherever she has gone. After graduating from the New Jersey College for 
Woman--now Douglas College--she [[Page E1063]] worked for Chemical Bank 
in the foreign department. Eventually, Loretta left the bank and went 
on to become secretary to the president of Cooke International, and 
import/export firm in New York. Upon leaving Cooke International, 
Loretta began working for Rosenthal & Rosenthal, Inc. where she will be 
retiring after 26 years.
  She began her career at Rosenthal as manager of the International 
Operations Office in their Foreign Department. Later she joined the 
Rosenthal Group's Law Department as an administrative manager and legal 
assistant and after years of service with Rosenthal & Rosenthal was 
appointed an officer in the company. She is one of the best liked and 
well respected members of the company, and her fellow workers will be 
sorry to see her go.
  Loretta's outstanding achievement in the business world may only be 
overshadowed by her exemplary work in her community. For over 41 years, 
Loretta has been an active resident of City & Suburban's York Avenue 
Estate Landmark.
  When eviction notices were sent to all tenants of her building, it 
looked as if Loretta and her neighbors would be forced to leave their 
homes forever. Her interest in the preservation of historic buildings 
in New York City persuaded her to lead the fight to make the building a 
New York City landmark.
  Loretta helped organize fundraisers, spoke at hearings and met with 
legislators in New York City and Washington, DC. Her persistence was 
rewarded when City & Suburban was made an official New York City 
landmark. Ms. Betty Cooper Wallerstein, chairperson of Coalition to 
Save the City and Suburban, and Marie Beirne, Tenants Landmark 
chairperson, both agree that the landmarking of City & Suburban's York 
Avenue Estate could not have been accomplished without Loretta.
  Now the Loretta is retiring after 26 years with Rosenthal & Rosenthal 
she will be able to devote even more time to her community service. She 
plans to be the keeper of the massive City & Suburban archives and 
intends to do volunteer work in the field of historic preservation. Ms. 
Ponticello will also continue her work with the East 79th Street 
Neighborhood Association, caring and working with the community that 
she loves.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to honor the heroics of Loretta Ponticello 
today. I hope that my colleagues will join me in thanking Ms. 
Ponticello for her ongoing generosity, and wish her a long and happy 
retirement.


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