[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 123 (Tuesday, September 16, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1769]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        IN HONOR OF THE MARY T. NORTON MEMORIAL AWARD RECIPIENTS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROBERT MENENDEZ

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 16, 1997

  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to three 
outstanding citizens who have distinguished themselves through their 
selfless dedication to the residents of my home State of New Jersey. 
Dorothy E. Harrington, Lourdes I. Santiago, and Rhoda Birnbaum will be 
honored as this year's recipients of the Mary T. Norton Congressional 
Award. This prestigious award, sponsored by the United Way of Hudson 
County, will be presented to these women as a tribute to their 
invaluable contributions to their communities, at the 62d Annual 
Campaign Kick-off Luncheon on September 16, 1997 at the Meadowlands 
Hilton.
  Mrs. Dorothy E. Harrington holds the honor of accomplishing two 
significant firsts for women in the city of Bayonne. A native of 
Bayonne, Dot has the distinction of being the first woman elected to 
public office in the city of Bayonne. She also holds the honor of being 
the first woman to serve as president of the Bayonne Board of 
Education, from 1981 to 1986. In 1986, Dot was elected to serve as 
first ward council member of the Bayonne Municipal Council. Dot 
currently holds the position of council member at-large, to which she 
was elected in 1990, and re-elected in 1994. Over the years Dot has 
been an outstanding member of her community, and a dedicated volunteer.
  Ms. Lourdes Santiago has made an exceptional commitment in serving 
others in her community. Ms. Santiago received her juris doctorate in 
1981 from Rutgers University School of Law in Newark, NJ. Ms. Santiago 
has also received admission to the Supreme Court of New Jersey in 1984. 
In 1994 she was appointed to the supreme court task force on minority 
affairs and is currently serving a second term on that task force 
following a 1996 re-appointment. Ms. Santiago has outstandingly 
represented her Hispanic community as the recipient of numerous 
professional and community-based awards.
  Ms. Rhoda Birnbaum has dedicated herself to enhancing the lives of 
the people in her community. As a young adult, following the example 
set by her parents, Ms. Birnbaum became active in social service and 
religious organizations. As an accountant with Arthur S. Geiger Co., 
public accountants, she has provided management and accounting 
expertise--with member United Way organizations--to advance the health 
and human services agenda by expanding resources and applying them 
effectively to build better, self-sufficient communities.
  It is an honor to have such outstanding and exceptionally caring 
individuals working in my district. Their dedication exemplifies the 
ideal of community service at its best. I ask my colleagues to join me 
in recognizing Dorothy Harrington, Lourdes Santiago, and Rhoda 
Birnbaum.

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