[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 141 (Tuesday, September 12, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1761]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                     MALONEY HONORS NEIGHBORS R US

                                 ______


                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, September 12, 1995
  Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring to the attention of 
my colleagues the achievements of Neighbors R Us, an extraordinary 
community group which has won a great battle for preserving a great 
neighborhood.
  Last year, when Toys R Us announced its intention to open a 
superstore on the corner of 80th and Third Avenue, it was greeted with 
dismay by those of us who live in the neighborhood. We feared that this 
store would negatively impact the residential character of the 
community. We feared that it would endanger access to the nursing home 
across the street. We feared that it would cause severe traffic 
problems throughout the whole neighborhood.
  Mr. Speaker, the difference between a good neighborhood and a great 
neighborhood is that when a great neighborhood is threatened, it draws 
together and rises to the challenge. And that is just what happened. 
Hundreds of residents from all walks of life gave selflessly of their 
time and created one extraordinary community group--Neighbors R Us.
  Neighbors R Us spent countless hours gathering the information to 
show that Toys R Us was exploiting a local loophole in its efforts to 
open a store tens of thousands of square feet larger than the zoning 
restrictions would have allowed. But despite having justice on their 
side, there were many who felt that Neighbors R Us' efforts were doomed 
from the beginning. They were fighting the system; they were Davids 
battling a corporate Toys R Us Goliath.
  But Neighbors R Us refused to listen to these naysayers. United, they 
continued to lobby the board of standards and appeals to do the right 
thing and preserve the community. They organized meetings; they held 
vigils; they wrote letters and made phone calls; in short, they gave 
new meaning to the words ``community activism.''
  And they won.
  Mr. Speaker, many individuals played critical roles in Neighbors R 
Us' well-deserved victory, so to single anyone out would be wrong. 
Because this was a victory that was truly shared by every member of the 
community. Certainly, the residents surrounding 80th Street have much 
reason to celebrate. But I believe that this issue has broader 
implications. It is a victory for the entire community and for every 
community in New York because it sends a message that residents' voices 
deserve to be heard.
  It is true that Toys R Us may appeal the board of standards and 
appeals decision in court. But having worked with Neighbors R Us for 
well over a year on this issue, I am confident that they will 
ultimately prevail. Because they have proven that when a community is 
unified, there is no limit to what it can achieve.
  So I ask my colleagues to join me in saluting Neighbors R Us for 
their extraordinary efforts on behalf of a truly great community.


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