[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 17 (Tuesday, February 26, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1203-S1204]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO LILLIAN CIUFO

 Mr. TORRICELLI. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to 
Lillian Ciufo, a New Jersey resident and distinguished member of the 
Fort Lee community, who will be honored as Person of the Year by the 
Fort Lee Rotary Club on March 3, 2002.
  Lillian, a resident of River Vale, currently serves as an Executive 
Director of the Fort Lee Housing Authority. The Housing Authority plays 
an important role in Fort Lee, a community in New Jersey situated right 
on the Hudson River, directly across from Manhattan, with limited space 
but a fast growing population. As Executive Director, Lillian is 
responsible for operating public housing and administering rent 
subsidies for hundreds of low-income seniors and families.
  Under Lillian's direction, the Fort Lee Housing Authority has enjoyed 
quite a renaissance. In the past five years that she has been Executive 
Director, over eight affordable housing projects have been constructed. 
Additionally, the housing authority has been nationally recognized for 
operating successful projects such as the Family Self Sufficiency 
Program, FSS, and an affordable child daycare program. The FSS program 
is a model which I truly believe all communities should examine closely 
as they look to solve their housing problems. The program provides 
career planning, job training, educational opportunities, home 
ownership opportunities and support services, while honoring personal 
dignity and one's self worth.
  Among other notable distinctions, Lillian also serves as Vice 
President of Community Revitalization on the Board of trustees of the 
New Jersey Association of Housing and Redevelopment, a branch of the 
National Housing Organization, and as Treasurer of the Board of 
Trustees of Heightened Independent and Progress, an agency that serves 
the disabled.
  It is my firm belief that Lillian will continue this fine tradition 
of community service in the years to come, and will serve with 
distinction as a tireless advocate on behalf of those in need of 
housing. As she continues her career as Executive Director of the Fort 
Lee Housing Authority, I look forward to further recognition of her 
outstanding work from both the Rotary club and other service 
organizations.

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