[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 28 (Wednesday, March 13, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E339]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


  A TRIBUTE TO SISTER RITA NOWATZKI OF THE NEW YORK FOUNDING HOSPITAL

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JERROLD NADLER

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 13, 2002

  Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Sister Rita Nowatzkl 
for her distinguished service to the children and families of New York 
City. A Sister of Charity for over fifty years, Sister Nowatzkl has 
dedicated herself to protecting the most vulnerable members of our 
community. As she enters her retirement, she remains unwavering in her 
commitment to speak for those who are voiceless and remind us all of 
our responsibility to aid the poorest members of our community.
  In 1990, Sister Nowatzkl joined the New York Foundling Hospital as 
its public advocate. In the years since, Sister Nowatzkl has proven her 
reputation as an innovative administrator and masterful advocate. She 
produced ``The Foundling,'' the first book documenting the Hospital's 
137-year history of aiding orphans, poor families and children. She 
raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the United Way, saved 
crucial family services in the New York City budget, and lit up the 
Empire State Building every April to commemorate Child Abuse Prevention 
month. As an artful advocate for our children's well-being, Sister 
Nowatzkl has worked at the city and state level to craft policies and 
programs that will assist the most vulnerable members of our community. 
One major component of the work of Sister Nowatzki is her desire to 
instill in young people an interest and commitment to participate in 
government and public policy and to take an active role in the issues 
that affect them. As a result, we know that her legacy will live on in 
the Hunter College public service scholars she has trained throughout 
the years.
  Sister Rita Nowatzki is a passionate, empathetic and nurturing Sister 
of Charity. Her dedicated work to promote social justice will benefit 
New York for years to come. As much as we will miss her ever-vigilant 
leadership, we know that her spirit of compassion will continue to 
grace us. As she begins the next chapter of her life, we thank her 
wholeheartedly for her tireless work to make our city a better place, 
and we wish her the very best in the years to come.

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