[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 38 (Wednesday, April 10, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E489-E490]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING ASSEMBLYMAN MICHAEL N. GIANARIS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSEPH CROWLEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 10, 2002

  Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a rising 
star in New York politics, Assemblyman Michael N. Gianaris, for his 
deep commitment to public service and his neighborhood of Astoria in 
New York City. Assemblyman Gianaris will be honored this coming 
Saturday, April 13th by the Powhatan and Pocahontas Democratic Club for 
his contributions to the organization and the entire community.
  A native and lifelong resident of Astoria, Mr. Gianaris was born to 
Nicholas and Magdalene Gianaris. After attending Public School 84, 
Junior High School 141 in Long Island City, he went on to prestigious 
pursuits by graduating Summa Cum Laude from Fordham Law School, and 
earning his Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School. Civic service became 
a passion early, beginning in 1988 when he served as Chair of a voter 
registration committee which registered more than 10,000 voters in the 
New York metropolitan area. He quickly plunged into public service as 
an aide to my predecessor, Congressman Tom Manton and later served as 
Governor Mario Cuomo's Queens County Regional Representative. In both 
of these positions, Mr. Gianaris worked to ensure that the residents of 
Queens had full access to government services.
  Before he sought elected office, Mr. Gianaris practiced as a 
litigator in private practice for more than two years. He also served 
as Associate Counsel to the New York State Assembly, where he worked on 
several measures that were enacted into law.
  In addition, Mr. Gianaris has served the his community in many 
capacities, including serving as a member of Queens Community Planning 
Board #1, Legal Counsel to the United Community Civic Association, and 
a Board Member of the Eastern Orthodox Lawyers Association.
  In 2000, Mr. Gianaris took his legislative knowledge and extensive 
familiarity with the community to the voters of New York's 36th 
Assembly District, winning the seat by a large margin. Since his 
election to the New York Assembly, Mr. Gianaris has exhibited strong 
leadership on environmental issues by fighting to reduce pollution from 
Queens powerplants and other sources. Environmental protection and the 
health of Queens residents will continue to be the top priorities for 
Assemblyman Gianaris.

[[Page E490]]

  Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing Assemblyman Michael N. 
Gianaris for investing so much in his community. He has only just begun 
what will be a long and distinguished life in public service to the 
people of Queens.

                          ____________________