[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 129 (Thursday, September 24, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1795]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




IN HONOR OF COLER/GOLDWATER SPECIALTY HOSPITAL AND NURSING FACILITY AND 
      ROOSEVELT ISLAND HOUSING MANAGEMENT CORPORATIONS ON FDR DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 24, 1998

  Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay a 
respectful tribute to the Coler/Goldwater Specialty Hospital and 
Nursing Facility and Roosevelt Island Housing Management Corporation as 
they and the residents of Roosevelt Island celebrate FDR Day on 
Saturday, September 12, 1998.
  This very special day on Roosevelt Island recognizes the 
accomplishments and goals of the disabled in honor and memory of 
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, our nation's most heralded disabled 
American, and the 44th Governor of the State of New York and the 32nd 
President of the United States. As President, Franklin Roosevelt led 
the nation through some of its worst crises, most notably the Great 
Depression and the Second World War. As a man who had overcome the fear 
and insecurity of his own physical disability, he assured the people 
that they had ``nothing to fear but fear itself.''
  The FDR Festival was born in 1981 with a proclamation by the United 
Nations declaring 1981 as the ``International Year of Disabled 
Persons.'' In that founding year of the Festival, the theme was ``Full 
Participation and Equality.''
  The United Nations expressed its concern about the prevailing 
negative treatment of disabled persons with the words: ``A drastic 
change in our attitude toward disabled persons is a prerequisite. We 
have, above all, to remember that the problems of physical or mental 
disability are the problems of society as a whole. We not only bear the 
collective responsibility to avert the unnatural courses of human 
disability, such as war, but to give the disabled everywhere, every 
possible assistance to lead productive lives.''
  On Saturday, I will join with the residents of Roosevelt Island to 
celebrate and honor the many accomplishments of the disabled. I also 
would like to commend Detective Steven D. McDonald, disabled in the 
line of duty, who will be participating in the awarding of medals to 
participants of FDR Day. Detective McDonald's bravery and courage is an 
inspiration to us all.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues rise with me in this tribute to 
Coler/Goldwater Specialty Hospital and Nursing Facility and the 
Roosevelt Island Housing Corporation, the FDR Day Committee and all 
other dedicated citizens who have worked to ensure a very special day 
of recognition for the disabled. The unity between the able bodied 
community with the disabled community is an achievement that you all 
should be proud to be a part of.

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