[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 44 (Tuesday, April 21, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E593-E594]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  TRIBUTE TO MARY LOU LANGONE, RECIPIENT OF THE 1998 MAPLE LEAF AWARD

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BILL PASCRELL, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 21, 1998

  Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I would like to call to your attention Ms. 
Mary Lou Langone of Maplewood, New Jersey who is being honored with the 
1998 Maple Leaf Award on this occasion of the 30th Annual Maple Leaf 
Award Ceremony.
  Mary Lou Langone has certainly had a positive impact on the community 
of Maplewood, both through her work in the Maplewood Chamber of 
Commerce and, through her service in numerous volunteer organizations 
and service groups. After attending Columbia University, completing 
business and accounting courses, and working at ADP, Mary Lou changed 
direction toward a vocation in which she has had both talent and 
success. She attended the New Jersey School of Floral Design and then 
opened her own business, Patina's Florist, which has flourished under 
her creative direction.
  As a successful Maplewood businesswoman, Mary Lou's contributions to 
the Maplewood Chamber of Commerce, include her membership on the Board 
of Directors, founder and past President of the Profile Program for the 
Maplewood Chamber of Commerce, and Chairwoman and Coordinator of the 
Chamber Holiday Decorations. Professional recognitions include Vice-
Presidency of the Eastern Region of New Jersey for FTD, design teacher 
at New Jersey School of Floral Design, and ``Designer of the Year'' in 
1983. Patina's has also received awards several times as ``Shop of the 
Year.''

[[Page E594]]

  Mary Lou had begun much of her volunteer work in the 1970s, and 
includes being a member of the Maplewood Woman's Club Evening 
Membership Department, Board member of the YWCA of the Oranges and 
Maplewood, member and past Board member of UNICO, and fundraiser for 
St. Johns Children Residence and the Make-a-Wish Program. Additionally 
she has worked to benefit charitable causes, including being the past 
President and former Board Member of the Wives of the Maplewood 
Firemen. She has also worked as the Scouting Chairperson and Group 
Leader for both the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, and worked to establish 
the permanent outdoor theater for the Tuscan School.
  Mary Lou has also served the community on the Maplewood Economic 
Development Committee and as a CPR instructor for the community. But 
perhaps the most significant gift of time and talent has been in Mary 
Lou's dedication of energy and talent to the Maplewood First Aid Squad, 
where she is a founder, a 10-year service veteran, and is a First Aid 
Squad Alumni member. Mary Lou and her husband Pat, a retired Maplewood 
Fireman, have two children, Patsy and Christina.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join me, our colleagues, the family and 
friends of Mary Lou Langone, and the Township of Maplewood in 
recognizing Mary Lou's many outstanding and invaluable contributions to 
the community of Maplewood and to the State of New Jersey.

                          ____________________