[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 79 (Friday, June 14, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1054-E1055]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            A TRIBUTE TO STEVEN KAPLANSKY: A TRUE NEW YORKER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 13, 2002

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of Steven Kaplansky in 
recognition of his long time commitment to his community.
  Steve was born in Manhattan and he grew up in Queens, amidst the 
historic Bowie House and Quaker Meeting Hall. Here, Steve learned 
important lessons of cultural diversity and love of community, which he 
took with him throughout his life. He went on to receive his college 
education at Long Island University, where he majored in sociology and 
history. He earned his masters degree from the Hunter School of Social 
Work, and became a New York State certified social worker.
  Aside from two years which he spent building community centers in 
Florida, Steven Kaplansky has spent his entire professional career in 
New York City. As an assistant director of the Flushing YHMA, he 
developed programs with the Lexington School for the Deaf and the 
Association For Help To Retarded Children, as well as an interracial 
youth council with Baptist churches. In 1976, he became the youngest 
executive director of a YHMA, and developed nontraditional programs, 
such as enriched and senior housing for the elderly, the only kosher 
Battered Women's Shelter in America, community services programs for 
those being discharged from mental institutions, interracial councils, 
neighborhood preservation projects and one of the first local 
development corporations in New York City.
  Steven's nonprofit work has been equally impressive. He was 
instrumental in establishing the Sam Levenson Cultural Arts Foundation 
and helped to establish One World One Heart, a nonprofit organization, 
which provides cultural, educational and neighborhood enrichment 
programs through music for communities-at-large. A one-time board 
member of the Local Development Corporation of East New York and a 
current board member of the

[[Page E1055]]

Brooklyn Bureau of Community Services, Steven was recently a of a 
Department of Employment study for job retention in the food industry 
in New York City. He is also a trustee for Local 348S Food and 
Commercial Workers Union and the Director of the Koni Arts Foundation. 
In addition, he has worked on environmental issues, including water, 
power, and food waste, with both the city and the state.
  From the 1980's until recently, Steven has worked for Blue Ridge 
Farms as the Government Community and Public Relations Director, as 
well as the Personnel Director. He was instrumental in providing 
donations to the community, including aiding at Ground Zero. 
Furthermore, he helped the company save over 500 jobs. He has also 
worked in food banks, homeless shelters, block associations, local 
police councils, youth groups, and senior centers. He currently is 
working with Aviation Systems of New York to develop technology to 
prevent explosions in airplanes, and is a consultant to World Vision, 
Inc. a music management and entertainment corporation.
  Mr. Speaker, Steven Kaplansky has spent his life working tirelessly 
on behalf of his community. As such, I urge my colleagues to join me in 
honoring this truly remarkable man.

                          ____________________