[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 116 (Thursday, August 1, 1996)]
[House]
[Pages H9833-H9834]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       TRIBUTE TO STAFF OF THE LATE HONORABLE HAMILTON FISH, JR.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from New York [Mrs. Kelly] is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mrs. KELLY. Mr. Speaker, since he was first elected to the 91st 
Congress in 1968 until his retirement in 1994, Hamilton Fish, Jr., has 
relied heavily on the support of his staff. During his 26-year tenure 
there were more than 70 staffers who served him loyally. The following 
is a list of those who served at least 3 years or more, as recalled to 
my memory.
  The first of these is John Barry, from the Catskills in New York. He 
met Ham Fish in 1965 and became a trusted friend, adviser, campaign 
manager, and confidante, launched and ran a successful campaign, 
getting Ham elected to Congress the first time in 1968, and from that 
point on continued as his campaign manager and adviser and served as 
his administrative assistant until he retired, from 1968 until 1982.
  John currently resides in West Palm Beach, FL. It was my joy and 
pleasure to serve Ham and work with John Barry. John was a remarkable 
man whom Ham was very lucky to have on staff.

  John Nacarrato is another one. John Nacarrato was elected eventually 
to the Ulster County legislature, but he served as district director 
for Hamilton Fish until he retired in 1992. John is my friend from the 
early Ham Fish days, and he owns and runs PJ's Restaurant in Kingston, 
NY. I go up there to see him often.
  Helen Fuimarello, this is another woman who met Ham Fish and 
volunteered on his campaign, then joined him. She came from Hamilton 
Fish's staff onto my staff and helped me set up my office in Dutchess 
County. She retired from Federal service in 1996, and currently works 
part-time for our State senator, Stephen Saland. Helen and I remain 
good friends and I rely on her excellent advice always.
  I want to mention Aya Ely. Aya Ely was Ham's personal secretary from 
1968 until 1987. She was an absolutely remarkable woman.
  Then there was Marion Clow. Marion kept us all in line. She was on 
Ham's staff from 1969 until she retired about 1983.

[[Page H9834]]

  Then there was Alan Coffey, Jr. Alan started in 1969. Alan is still 
on Capitol Hill. He served on the House Committee on the Judiciary as 
minority counsel, but he is now majority general counsel and staff 
director of the Committee on the Judiciary. Alan is as sharp as ever, 
but he started with Hamilton Fish.
  Gerry Schindler started as a volunteer on Ham's campaign. Eventually 
Gerry moved to Salisbury, MD, and now works in the office of 
Congressman Wayne Gilchrest. She is a lovely, kind woman, and another 
friend of mine.
  Then there is Shirley Cavanaugh, Dorothy Pedersen, Clementine 
Anthony, Janice Traber, Shelva Hoffman, Tom Schatz, and Phyllis 
Coleman, another remarkable woman. She started in 1979 in Ham's 
Poughkeepsie office as a caseworker and staff assistant. Later she 
moved to the Washington office to work as a legislative correspondent 
and chief caseworkers. She served Ham for 15\1/2\ years, and then she 
moved with me into my office. She is the finest human being I have 
found here on Capitol Hill. She is a wonderful human being, and has 
helped countless people in my district. My hat is off to Phyllis 
Coleman for her many, many years of service. I am proud to have her in 
my office.
  Hope Wittenberg worked for Ham. Nick Hayes came in, replacing John 
Barry, from 1982 to 1994. He was Ham's administrative assistant. Nick, 
too, remains a good friend.

  Nora Lucey Mail is still here on Capitol Hill. Mariel Friedman, David 
Gilroy, and then there is Pari Forood Novik. Pari Novik and her husband 
Dick are good friends. She served 6 years on Ham's staff, and they live 
in Dutchess County, where they help the Dutchess community in hundreds 
of ways. Pari basically now has opened and runs a radio station.
  Molly Clark, Morey Markowitz, Grace Washbourne. Grace always made 
sure Ham got where he needed to go. She was a scheduler and a wonderful 
help to Ham.
  Debbie Reilly, Renee Longacre, Mike Hanretta, Heather Whyte, Nancy 
Eaton, another caseworker who moved from Ham's office to help me.
  Linda Jo Edwards, Melissa Bottini, Claire Benson, and many more. 
These are the people who made the office of Hamilton Fish what it was 
and helped Ham be the man that he was, and helped him continue to keep 
his image well-honed. I believe it fitting that we also offer them a 
tribute, as we have Ham.

                          ____________________