[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 56 (Thursday, April 22, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E738]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


           A TRIBUTE TO PARK SLOPE NEIGHBORHOOD FAMILY CENTER

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ANTHONY D. WEINER

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 22, 1999

  Mr. WEINER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to invite my colleagues to pay 
tribute to the Park Slope Neighborhood Family Center on the occasion of 
its Annual Dinner Dance.
  This event is not only a festive happening, it is a chance for all of 
us to celebrate and pay tribute to a group of individuals who embody 
the spirit of community service. This year's honorees truly represent 
the best of what our community has to offer.
  The Park Slope Neighborhood Family Center (PSNFC) is home to five 
community organizations serving thousands of south Brooklyn residents. 
PSNFC was founded in 1983 by a small group of neighborhood residents in 
response to the need for safe, affordable space shared by local 
community organizations. By placing a variety of social service 
programs under one roof, PSNFC encourages the creation of innovative 
intergovernmental and multicultural programming while answering the 
interrelated needs of many agency clients.
  Martin Gomez serves as the Executive Director of the Brooklyn Public 
Library, the nation's fifth-largest library system. He is an elected 
member of the American Library Association Executive Board and a board 
member of the Metropolitan New York Library Council. He established the 
Library's first foundation board to raise private funds for library 
programs and was instrumental in creating an online wide-area network 
providing free public access to the Internet at Brooklyn's 60 public 
libraries. With a lifelong commitment to encouraging diversity in 
libraries, Martin has designed programs for the California Literacy 
Campaign and its Minority Services Recruitment and Scholarship program.
  Tupper Thomas serves as the administrator of Prospect Park where she 
is responsible for the ongoing operation of the park. In addition to 
overseeing the ongoing restoration of Prospect Park, Tupper Thomas has 
been instrumental in increasing the park's usership through special 
events, public information and outreach programs. Tupper Thomas also 
serves as the president of the Prospect Park Alliance, an organization 
dedicated to funding activities and services for park visitors, 
landscape projects, and selected capital projects.
  Judith D. Zuk serves as the president and chief executive officer of 
the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. An horticulturist with experience as an 
educator, researcher, and administrator, she heads one of America's 
preeminent public grandens. With members in every State and 52 foreign 
countries, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden attracts 800,000 visitors 
annually. She is active in a number of professional and civic 
organizations and serves as the chairman of the Cultural Institutions 
Group. Judith also serves on the boards of the Brooklyn Chamber of 
Commerce, Chase Manhattan Regional Advisory Board, Greenwood Cemetery, 
New York City Street Tree Consortium, and the New York City Water 
Conservation District.
  All of today's honorees have long been known as innovators and 
beacons of good will to all those with whom they come into contact. 
Through their dedicated efforts, they have each helped to improve my 
constituents' quality of life. In recognition of their many 
accomplishments on behalf of my constituents, I offer my 
congratulations on their being honored by the Park Slope Neighborhood 
Family Center.

                          ____________________