[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 58 (Wednesday, May 7, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S4130]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING ARMAND D'AMATO, SR.

 Mr. D'AMATO. Mr. President, I rise to pay tribute to my 
father, Mr. Armand D'Amato, Sr. of Island Park, NY. He is being honored 
on May 8, 1997 for his role as the founder of the Island Park Chamber 
of Commerce, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this month. I would 
like to take this opportunity to commend my father for his lifelong 
commitment to making his community a richer, more prosperous and safer 
place to live.
  One of Armand D'Amato's most im-portant and lasting contributions to 
his community was the founding of the Island Park Chamber of Commerce 
in 1947. The chamber was, and remains today, a vital tool in developing 
the economic potential of Island Park. As a small businessman and the 
first president of the chamber of commerce, serving in that position 
for 9 years, dad recognized that economic prosperity should not be 
taken for granted and that only through vigilance and hard work is a 
community's economic well-being safeguarded.
  Armand D'Amato was born in Newark, NJ, the second of nine children 
born to Italian immigrants who traveled to America from Avalino, Italy 
while still teenagers. As a child, he rarely heard English spoken in 
his home. It was not until he attended elementary school at the age of 
5 that he began to learn English. At a time when Italian immigrants in 
America were subjected to unfair discrimination, the obstacles dad 
encountered as a child taught him valuable lessons about the realities 
and hardships of life, and instilled in him a determination to succeed.
  After earning his bachelor's degree from Montclair State Teachers 
College and his master's from New York University, Dad served his 
country overseas during World War II. He and my mother, Antoinette, 
settled in Island Park in 1945. Since that time, he has been 
energetically involved in the public life of Island Park.
  Armand D'Amato's dedication to his community did not stop with the 
founding of the Island Park Chamber of Commerce. He was also 
instrumental in founding the American Alliance to Combat Crime and 
Violence, an organization sponsored by the Island Park Chamber of 
Commerce dedicated to making Island Park a safer place to live and 
raise a family. He also founded the Island Park Taxpayer Association in 
1953, the Tri-Community Council of Island Park in 1954 and served as 
district governor of the Nassau County Lion's Club in 1963.
  During the 1970's and 1980's, dad served as director of business 
research at the nassau County Department of Commerce and Industry and 
organized the Business Resource Center at Nassau Community College.
  My father's vigorous commitment to public service and the values he 
has instilled in his family are reflected by the career paths chosen by 
his two sons. My brother, Armand D'Amato, Jr., served in the New York 
State Assembly for fourteen years. And my own career in public service 
was certainly inspired by his active involvement in the community.
  Armand D'Amato has worked his entire life to make Island Park a 
better place to live. His dedication and commitment to the concept of 
community service has had an immeasurable impact on the lives of the 
citizens of Island Park. My father personifies the spirit of community 
leadership to which others should aspire, and I am proud to join in 
honoring him.

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