[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 159 (Wednesday, November 12, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2330-E2331]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      PATRICIA STARK OF RIVERHEAD, SELECTED AS PERSON OF THE YEAR

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL P. FORBES

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 12, 1997

  Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join my friends and 
neighbors on eastern Long Island as we pay tribute to Patricia Stark, 
of Riverhead, in honor of her designation as 1997's Person of the Year 
by the Paumanok District of the Suffolk County Council of the Boy 
Scouts of America.
  Pat Stark's good work is so extensive, it might be more apt to 
declare her Person of the Decade. She is being honored by the Suffolk 
County Boy Scouts because they recognize her selfless and seemingly 
endless contributions of time and energy to the entire Riverhead 
community. Pat has worked tirelessly to improve the quality of life for 
all her neighbors, whether through supporting the arts, beautifying our 
community, improving education, protecting the environment, or 
preserving her hometown's historic legacy.
  After a career in education where she taught in several Long Island 
schools, Pat has directed her talents to private business and is now 
the vice president of Storage Town East. But she is most loved and 
respected for her tremendous pride in her community, one that has 
inspired her devotion to Riverhead. Pat founded the Riverhead Country 
Fair, serving as the event's cochair for 7 years, with the goal of the 
focusing the townspeople's attention on the special gifts of the 
Peconic River. With the help of her friends and neighbors, that purpose 
was attained and today the riverfront has come alive with the bustle of 
boaters, fishermen, residents, and tourists.
  Pat also served as chairperson of Riverhead Townscape, an 
organization responsible for allocating the funds raised by the fair on 
beautification projects. Some of the beneficiaries those efforts 
include the Peconic Riverfront, Lombardi Park, the flower boxes, trees 
and plantings along Main Street, plantings in Grangebel Park, the 
gardens and grounds of the East End Arts Council, and the Riverhead 
Preservation and Landmark Society.
  Pat's other efforts includes serving as cochair of the East End Arts 
Council's Suffolk Theater advisory committee, the Riverhead Business 
Improvement District's downtown planning strategies committee, and as 
president of the Riverhead Revitalization and Preservation Corp., which 
has just completed a vital historic restoration project on Roanoke 
Avenue.
  Completing her prodigious list of volunteer efforts, Pat is a member 
of the advisory board of the Hallockville historic site, serves as 
director of Confraternity of Christian Doctrine for St. John's Roman 
Catholic Church and is still a prodigious fundraiser for many local 
nonprofit organizations. Patricia has been recognized in the Senate by 
Al D'Amato for her efforts in housing restoration and it is altogether 
fitting that the House of Representatives honor her contributions.
  That is why, Mr. Speaker, that I ask my colleagues in the House to 
join me honoring Patricia Stark and recognize her commitment to 
promoting and protecting the quality of life of Riverhead and the 
entire east end of Long Island, for her family and for her community. 
We

[[Page E2331]]

are truly blessed to count her as our friend and neighbor.

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