[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 167 (Thursday, October 26, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2041]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO MICHAEL A. BENJAMIN

                                 ______


                          HON. JOSE E. SERRANO

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 25, 1995

  Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Michael A. 
Benjamin, an active community leader and a dear friend who was honored 
for his outstanding contribution to health community issues on October 
6 at the 1995 St. Benedict the Moor Neighborhood Center's Dance Dinner, 
in the South Bronx.
  Michael A. Benjamin is one of eight individuals who were recognized 
for their remarkable achievements in helping rehabilitate individuals 
who had been struggling with substance abuse problem. The 
rehabilitation program is being implemented at St. Benedict the Moor 
Neighborhood Center.
  A Bronx resident, Mr. Benjamin started his career as an alcoholism 
counselor. He served in this capacity at various centers over a 7-year 
period, including Hunts Point Multi Service Corp., Prospect Hospital, 
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Health Center, and Our Lady of Mercy Medical 
Center.
  After his exemplary career as a counselor, Michael worked as a 
special assistant to Assemblyman Hector Diaz. I had the privilege of 
bringing him on board in this same capacity while I was serving the 
N.Y. Assembly, just before I was elected to Congress.
  Michael presently serves as parliamentarian of the executive 
committee of the Bronx Democratic County Committee and is a member of 
the community advisory board of the Morrisania Diagnostic and Treatment 
Center. He also served as chairman of the Youth Services Planning 
Committee and has sat on various committees and boards, including the 
South Bronx People For Change Anti-Drug Committee, the New York Lung 
Association Minority Task Force, and the Community Advisory Board at 
the Bronx Alcohol Treatment. He earned a bachelor of arts degree in 
political science at Syracuse University and has done graduate work at 
State University of New York.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Michael 
Benjamin for his success and lifelong commitment to community health 
issues.

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