[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 26 (Thursday, March 9, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E256]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      IN HONOR OF MR. JAMES BERGIN

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 8, 2000

  Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay special 
tribute to James Bergin. Mr. Bergin is an honorable citizen who has 
worked tirelessly to improve the quality of life for countless New 
Yorkers.
  Mr. Bergin is an invaluable community leader of the Upper East Side. 
While Mr. Bergin seeks no praise for himself for what he does, he 
deserves our gratitude for his years of service to the community. James 
Bergin has distributed over one million pounds of government surplus 
food to the poor in his community and has found apartments for veterans 
and seniors in difficult times.
  Mr. Bergin has participated in efforts to reduce crime in his 
neighborhood through Community Patrol programs, on foot and in his 
wheelchair. He has met with gangs and succeeded in significantly 
reducing gang activities in his neighborhood.
  Among Mr. Bergin's many contributions to the health and well-being of 
New York City residents, Mr. Bergin has solicited funds from local 
store owners to give 15 scholarships to children to continue their 
education. He has solicited city funds to build two playgrounds for 
children, one for ages two to five and one for ages six to eleven.
  Mr. Bergin's efforts to solicit money for charitable causes is never 
ending. He has an annual holiday party for children in low income 
neighborhoods and makes sure they all have a present to open and an 
opportunity to visit Santa and enjoy ice cream soda and Christmas 
candy.
  Mr. Bergin recently filmed a video on the proper way to handle a 911 
call that involves armed intruders in residences. Mr. Bergin was asked 
to sign a release for possible distribution of his video. Mr. Bergin 
has attended every Manhattan North Community Picnic and interacted with 
the Manhattan North Community. Mr. Bergin's work in the community has 
helped in reducing drug traffic by 30% on the Upper East Side of 
Manhattan.
  Mr. Speaker, I salute the life and work of Mr. James Bergin and I ask 
my fellow Members of Congress to join me in recognizing Mr. Bergin's 
contributions to the New York community.

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