[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 147 (Thursday, November 14, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2000]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             IN RECOGNITION OF THE 23RD STREET ASSOCIATION

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 13, 2002

  Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I would like to pay tribute to 
The 23rd Street Association on the occasion of their Annual Award 
Luncheon. This year, the 23rd Street Association is honoring North Fork 
Bank and Carolyn Drexel for their outstanding community involvement. In 
addition, the owners and management of the Flatiron building are being 
recognized on this, the building's centennial anniversary, for their 
dedication to the buildings restoration and modernization.
  Ranked number one by the leading industry publication U.S. Banker in 
their annual survey, North Fork Bancorp is considered one of the 
nation's top bank and thrift companies. North Fork was also ranked 
fourth among the top 100 banking companies that include all types of 
financial services companies. Organized in 1980, today, the total 
assets of the Bank are approximately $19 billion with over 165 branch 
locations that provide a wide range of personal and commercial banking 
services throughout New York.
  Carolyn Drexel joined North Fork Bank as part of a new Management 
Training Program in 1979. After landing a position in the Speonk office 
as the Assistant Branch Manager, she continued to advance her career, 
and in 1993 became a Senior Vice President in charge of the Branch 
Network. In April 1997, Ms. Drexel's professionalism and skill led her 
to take on the responsibilities of managing the entire Retail Division 
which includes the Branch Network, Marketing, Sales, Retail Operations 
and the Cash Management Department. Ms. Drexel was promoted to 
Executive Vice President in January of 1998. As Vice President, she 
leads more than 2,300 employees of the Bank with 168 branches located 
from Eastern Long Island to Upstate New York. Ms. Drexel has also been 
a tenacious community activist, and has volunteered her time at various 
organizations including the Epilepsy Foundation, Salvation Army, 
Suffolk County Special Olympics, Yeshiva of South Shore. Most recently, 
Ms. Drexel was appointed to the Board of Directors of Safe Horizon.
  The legendary three-sided structure at the intersection of Broadway, 
Fifth Avenue and 23rd Street, The Flatiron Building, is one of New 
York's oldest surviving skyscrapers. Opened in 1902, the building's 
unique architecture in the form of a geometrically perfect, straight-
edged right triangle, separates it from the New York City streetscape. 
Now, thanks to a recent refurbishment under new owners and last year's 
$5 million reconstruction of the six-acre oasis of Madison Square Park, 
the building continues to be the flagship of the reborn Flatiron 
district.
  I would also like to commend the 23rd Street Association in their 
mission of enhancing the quality of life for families and businesses in 
the area bounded by the Hudson and East Rivers from 17th to 28th 
Street. Incorporated in 1929 by 22 local business people, today's 23rd 
Street Association has approximately 300 members. Their efforts have 
included conducting business-training programs in local junior high 
schools, mobilizing the community to bring about a $2.5 million 
renovation of Madison Square Park, working with the local police to 
combat drug dealing and other crime, and developing annual summertime 
concert programming and children's entertainment in the community.
  The Association is fortunate to represent individuals and 
organizations that are so committed to the advancement of their 
community. In recognition of the invaluable contributions and the 
selfless efforts of tonight's honorees, I ask that my colleagues join 
me in saluting the 23rd Street Association on their annual award 
luncheon.

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