[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 41 (Wednesday, April 5, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E495]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   A TRIBUTE TO E. TUNNEY MAHER, JR.

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                        HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 5, 2000

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to 
recognize E. Tunney Maher, Jr., an outstanding resident of my 
constituency who will be honored by the Hastings-on-Hudson Chamber of 
Commerce as its Hastings-on-Hudson Citizen of the Year on April 9th.
  Tunney Maher is a lifelong resident of Hastings-on-Hudson who is 
retiring after 23 years as the director of St. Matthew's Christian 
Youth Organization basketball program. However, Mr. Maher has 
contributed significantly to the community in many other ways. For the 
last 19 years, Tunney has been employed in the Rehabilitation 
Department at St. Cabrini Nursing Home. In 1991 he was awarded the 
Archdiocesan of New York Parish Volunteer Award. He also has been named 
a Suburban Hero by Gannet Newspapers and was honored by St. Matthew's 
Roman Catholic Parish at its 1994 Annual Dinner.
  Although Tunney has devoted himself to helping the citizens of 
Hastings-on-Hudson, his pride and joy has been his work with the CYO 
basketball program. There are currently 150 youths in the program now, 
and over 800 children have been a part of the program since its 
inception. However, Tunney has made certain that the program is not 
strictly basketball. He has made it a policy to have the youngsters 
give something back to the community by helping to feed the homeless, 
clean up the environment, and other projects that reflect a dual 
responsibility. Tunney reflects on his experience with the youth 
basketball program: ``It's a time-consuming thing, but it's worth it. 
There's a great deal of satisfaction when you've worked with these kids 
and you've done something positive for them.''
  Mr. Speaker, I invite my colleagues to join in congratulating Tunney 
Maher, Jr. on receiving the citizen of the Year Award from the 
Hastings-on-Hudson Chamber of Commerce. I am confident the lessons he 
imparted to the youths of his village will assist them in developing 
into solid, productive citizens.

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