[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 124 (Wednesday, September 11, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1587]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     A TRIBUTE TO JOSEPHINE PIRACCI

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD B.H. SOLOMON

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 11, 1996

  Mr. SOLOMON. Mr. Speaker, every now and then in my position as a 
Congressman, I have the privilege of honoring those people out there 
whose performance day in and day out improves the quality of life for 
an entire neighborhood or school or community. I call these people our 
silent heros. That's because they do their job without remiss and all 
too often without the accolades they deserve.
  Mr. Speaker, I'd like to bring your attention to one such hero today, 
Ms. Josephine Piracci of Clifton Park, NY in my congressional district. 
Josephine has been a faithful employee of the Shenendehowa Public 
Library for 20 years now and has done more than her share in making the 
Clifton Park and Halfmoon area of New York a great place to live and 
raise a family.
  I say that because what could be more critical to any community and 
especially its young people, than a library. And there's something even 
more special about a public library that just seems so American. I 
think it's that it embodies the free exchange of ideas and intellectual 
freedom that has allowed this country to thrive and has been the beacon 
drawing millions from distant lands throughout our history.
  Now, how does Ms. Piracci fit into all this? Easy. For 20 years now, 
she has played an active role in helping others to expand their minds, 
be it a child forming their first sentences, or a businessowner 
researching the latest trends and technologies that might allow their 
business to expand and put someone else to work.
  Josephine made this type of impact right from the beginning starting 
part-time as a children's librarian. And she didn't stop there, Mr. 
Speaker. Jo, as her friends and colleagues know her, went on to become 
director of the library by 1985 and has remained so ever since. During 
her tenure, she presided over the largest expansion in the history of 
the Shenendehowa Library. In fact, the library grew four times its 
size, from 4,500 square feet to 18,000 square feet.
  As you know, Mr. Speaker, organizing and directing such a rapid and 
enormous change can be both exhilarating and frustrating. But Jo had a 
vision of a facility that would better serve all aspects of her 
community and the persistence to carry it through. Now that's what it 
takes to get the job done.
  Mr. Speaker, I have always been one to judge people based on what 
they return to their community. By that measure, Josephine Piracci is a 
truly great American. I ask you, Mr. Speaker, and all Members of the 
House to rise with me now in tribute to her and her outstanding record 
of public service. She has certainly earned it.

                          ____________________