[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 2 (Thursday, January 7, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E60]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO RALPH AND ROSE HITTMAN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSE E. SERRANO

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, January 6, 1999

  Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the First 
Couple of Boys Brotherhood Republic, Ralph and Rose Hittman, two 
outstanding individuals who have dedicated their lives to public 
service. They will be honored on January 9 by parents, family, friends, 
and professionals for their outstanding contributions to the community. 
I have known them personally for many years, and I am very familiar 
with their background, experience, character, and personality. They are 
two people of enormous commitment.
  An active citizen and police captain at the Boys Brotherhood Republic 
(BBR) in the 1930s, Ralph Hittman grew up on East Sixth Street just 
west of the present-day BBR ``City Hall'' at Avenue D. While a BBR 
citizen, Ralph was introduced to Rose Bader, whose parents owned a 
candy store just a block away, at a Dance at the Christodora's House by 
Rose's cousin, who was also a BBR boy. They married in December 1939.
  Mr. Speaker, during World War II, Mr. Hittman served as a 
noncommissioned officer in the Marine Corps, and both before and after 
the war he was associated with a West Seventeenth Street paper company, 
initially as sales manager then general manager.
  Between 1954 and 1955 when the self-governing nature of the BBR had 
been all but lost and less than a hundred citizens frequented the 
``City Hall'' building, then at 290 East Third Street, Ralph took on 
the responsibility of unpaid supervisor, working late afternoons and 
nights while still at the paper company. With the help and support of 
Rose (who took on administrative and bookkeeping duties during the 
daytime), the couple paid off some long overdue vendor bills, and began 
the task of steering the organization out of debt.
  Rose was born on the Lower East Side, and she attended public School 
131, Junior High School 188 and graduated from Washington Irving High 
School at age 15. She received many honors while in school and the one 
she is most proud of is the citywide arithmetic medal which she won at 
J.H.S. 188. However, for financial reasons, it was impossible for her 
to attend college. She went to work as a switchboard operator and 
bookkeeper to help support her family.
  Ralph Hittman has had a lifelong affiliation with Boys Brotherhood 
Republic of New York, having participated in its programs as a boy. 
During his forty-three years as executive director, Mr. Hittman oversaw 
the relocation and reorganization of Camp Wabenaki, the planning and 
construction of a new BBR City Hall at 888 East Sixth Street, and the 
expansion of program services. Rose Hittman had a critical role in each 
of these accomplishments. Since 1956, the Hittmans have lived on-site 
with the children at Camp Wabenaki during the summer months.
  Over the years, Ralph and Rose Hittman have guided and nurtured tens 
of thousands of youngsters on the Lower East Side. This is ultimately 
the highest testament to their unsurpassed efforts.
  Ralph and Rose Hittman are the proud parents of three sons, Michael, 
Jeffrey, and Stephen.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in commending and 
congratulating Ralph and Rose Hittman for their outstanding 
contributions to the community and in wishing them continued success.

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