[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 127 (Tuesday, September 22, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S10730]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING ILANA G. POSSNER

 Mr. D'AMATO. Mr. President, I rise today to honor Ilana G. 
Possner, a young woman who has dedicated her life to the betterment of 
her community through her undying commitment to community service and 
leadership activities. She is a shining example of an American youth 
who has made a deep impact on the lives of her fellow citizens.
  This young Staten Island resident has not only graced her immediate 
community with her good deeds, but the New York City area as a whole. 
She is an active participant at Project Hospitality, a Staten Island 
shelter that works with the area's homeless, hungry and sick. Each 
week, Ilana prepares and serves dinner to the homeless population this 
program services. Yet, her role is not just that of a server; Ilana 
takes it upon herself to befriend these people in need, readily lending 
a supportive ear and establishing relationships with them. Ms. Possner 
also devotes her time to entertaining Staten Island senior citizens 
through volunteer signing for the hearing impaired. Ilana has performed 
at fifteen different nursing homes and senior citizen centers 
throughout the past two years. Aside from these very demanding 
activities, she is also an active and enthusiastic volunteer worker for 
the American Cancer Society and the Multiple Sclerosis Society.
  Ms. Possner has put her leadership skills to work to help the 
community, as well. She organizes numerous food and clothing drives for 
the homeless, which provide people with the basic necessities of life 
that otherwise would not have been available to them. Moreover, Ilana 
presides over youth groups which bring together Staten Island youth 
from different racial, socioeconomic, religious and ethnic backgrounds. 
Through these groups, she works to promote harmony among the citizens 
of Staten Island.
  Ilana's hard work has brought her great recognition and awards over 
the past few years. She currently attends St. John's University on an 
academic scholarship, where she wishes to pursue studies in 
Communications and Education. Furthermore, she has received the 
National Service Scholarship and the MCS/Canon New York Knicks Team Up 
Community Service Scholarship. The New York State Assembly has also 
commended Ms. Possner for her work and achievement through a citation, 
as well.
  As we all know, today's youth is the future of America. In order to 
solve the problems America is facing now and in the future, it is 
imperative that we have leaders dedicated to the American people. Ilana 
Possner is an excellent example of a person who has put forth her 
leadership skills and time to the American public. It is through people 
such as Ilana Possner that the future problems and issues facing 
Americans will be confronted. Thus, I wish to commend Ilana for her 
selfless acts that have helped to make her community a better 
place.

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