[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 21 (Wednesday, February 14, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E178]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING MARY ANNE KELLY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSEPH CROWLEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 14, 2001

  Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Mary Anne Kelly for her 
great commitment to community and family involvement. Kelly will be 
recognized next week by the Powhatan and Pocahontas Regular Democratic 
Club for her work on behalf of her community in Long Island City and 
Astoria, New York.
  Kelly's love for and roots in Queens are deep and long lasting. She 
was bom in St. John's hospital, then located to Long Island City, where 
she was raised as the only child of loving parents, Florence and 
Lawrence Creamer of Astoria. She graduated from St. Joseph's Grammar 
School in Astoria with honors and was the recipient of the Math Medal. 
Mary Anne then attended St. Jean the Baptiste High School in Manhattan 
where she participated in numerous activities and did volunteer work 
with the New York Foundling Home. She said that although it was often 
heart wrenching, it was a wonderful feeling to be able to help infants 
and toddlers. It was a true labor of love.
  Mrs. Kelly had every intention of entering Hunter College with the 
goal of becoming a Math teacher, as she loved working with children. 
However, the New York Telephone Company offered a wonderful opportunity 
to her, and she opted for the business world--a choice she does not 
regret. She worked for eight years in the commercial department, the 
last five years as a business representative. Kelly also served as her 
office's union representative.
  In the summer of 1956, a mutual friend introduced Mary Anne to a 
wonderful man. Now after 43 years of marriage to Peter Kelly, Mary Anne 
claims that summer day was the luckiest day of her life. They were 
married in June of 1958 and had three marvelous children: Peter, now a 
Civil Court Judge, Anne-Marie, my talented Director of Constituent 
Service, and Carleen. In addition, they have a loving daughter-in-law 
Cathy, a terrific son-in-law Robert, and have been blessed with four 
beautiful grandchildren Christian, Bobby, Brian and Meghan.
  Kelly's involvement with politics started with a phone call from 
Denis Butler who had decided to run for Democratic leader in Astoria. 
He invited her to run with him as female co-leader. They had known each 
other through their mutual involvement in church and Home School 
activities. Kelly was Vice President of the Rosary Society and had 
chaired many successful fundraisers for their school. That phone call 
was the beginning of a wonderful political union and a friendship that 
lasted through 30 years of service to their community and clubs. They 
have the honor of being the two leaders, male and female, in Queens who 
remained in office longer than any other political team. Although Kelly 
is no longer a Democratic District Leader, a title her daughter Anne-
Marie Anzalone now holds, she will always remain devoted to her 
community and the Pocahontas and Powhatan clubs whose members have been 
so supportive over the years.
  As an elected official, I appreciate the work and dedication of 
people like Mary Anne Kelly to democracy and good government. Mary Anne 
is the person who carries the petitions, stuffs the envelopes, helping 
to elect hundreds of talented men and women to all levels of 
government, from Queens courts to U.S. President.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me recognizing Mrs. Mary Anne Kelly for her 
lifetime of service to the communities of Astoria and Long Island City, 
New York.

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