[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 129 (Wednesday, September 24, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1836]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN HONOR OF THE 70TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE EAST SIDE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 24, 1997

  Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay a 
respectful tribute to the East Side Chamber of Commerce on the 70th 
anniversary of its founding. The chamber has had a remarkable and 
honorable history of serving the residents and businesses of the East 
Side of Manhattan for most of this century.
  The chamber was born in 1927 when it fought, almost single-handedly, 
to have a suspended trolley service reinstated to the Upper East Side. 
The chamber's successful 2-year battle to save the trolley service was 
only the beginning of a long history of service for the East Side.
  The chamber also encouraged and took an active role in the 
development of housing projects like the Peter Stuyvesant Apartments, 
Ageloff Towers, and the Nation's first public housing venture, the 
First Houses at Avenue A and 3d Street.
  East Side businesses benefited from the chamber's efforts as well. 
One successful campaign the chamber waged was the battle against push-
cart markets which were rapidly congesting the Lower East Side and 
posing a threat to the area's businesses. The chamber's proposed 
alternative, the Essex Street Retail Market, was an indoor market that 
successfully kept push-cart vendors in business, but off the streets.
  Over the past 70 years, the chamber made numerous transportation 
improvements to the East Side to facilitate access. The chamber played 
an active role in widening East Side streets, providing adequate 
subways, such as campaigning to have the IND routed through the East 
Side, and initiating discussions for an East River Drive.
  The East Side Chamber of Commerce in 1997, under the leadership of 
president Joseph Greene and chairman of the board of directors, Sidney 
Baumgarten, is involved in many of the issues that affect East Siders: 
sanitation, rent control, bridge reconstruction, housing, crime 
prevention, education, and much more.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues rise with me in this tribute to 
the East Side Chamber of Commerce as it celebrates its 70th 
anniversary. Their formidable record of achievement in bettering the 
East Side has made it a better place to live and work. I am proud to 
have an important and respected organization in my district.

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