[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 75 (Monday, May 24, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1063]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              TRIBUTE TO THE CHURCH OF SAINT ROSE OF LIMA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ANTHONY D. WEINER

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 24, 1999

  Mr. WEINER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to invite my colleagues to pay 
tribute to the Church of Saint Rose of Lima on the occasion of its 
Eighth Annual Dinner Dance.
  The members of the Church of Saint Rose of Lima have long been known 
for their commitment to community service and to enhancing the quality 
of life for all New York residents.
  This year's Dinner Dance 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 have dedicated their lives to helping others. This 
year's honorees truly represent the best of what our community has to 
offer.
  Mario Russo and his wife, Diana, met in the Rockaways and were 
married at Saint Rose of Lima Church on November 30, 1941, by Rev. 
James Galvin. A carpenter by trade, Mario has worked on many of the 
Rockaway projects such as Hammels Houses, Arvene, Nordeck, Dayton and 
Surfside. Mario Russo has routinely worked on improving the quality of 
life of his friends and neighbors in the Rockaways. He has served as 
the head of the Somerville-Arvene Civic Association, President of the 
Arvene Civic Council and been a member of Community Board 14 for the 
last thirty years. In addition, Mario Russo, has been an active member 
of the American Legion, the Rockaway Civic Association, and his local 
Chamber of Commerce. For the last thirty-five years, Mario Russo has 
conducted a yearly campaign for Earth Day and Plant Up for Trees.
  Jo Ann Francis Celeste Mullaney Shapiro, has been an active member of 
the Rockaway community for over fifteen years. Her involvement spans 
from graffiti removal projects, increasing our police protection, 
improving our children's education, to fighting for our senior 
citizens. Jo Ann Shapiro is the Past President of the Rockaway Kiwanis 
Club and an active member of the Rockaway Beach Civic Association. She 
is a founding member of the Far Rockaway High School based Health 
Clinic and past Chairperson of its advisory board. She is an active 
member of the Business and Professional Women Club and the Peninsula 
Regular Democratic Club. Jo Ann has worked for the New York City Board 
of Education in Community School District 27 and served as her school's 
U.F.T. Chapter Chairperson. She is an active member of the Saint Rose 
of Lima Parish and serves as Assemblywoman Audrey I. Pheffer's Chief of 
Staff where she makes Rockaway's issues, her issues.
  Each of today's honorees has 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 Church of Saint Rose of 
Lima.

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