[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 73 (Thursday, May 15, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E959]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING MYRON BLUMENFELD

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GARY L. ACKERMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 14, 2003

  Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 35th Anniversary 
of Residents for a More Beautiful Port Washington and its Chairman, 
Myron Blumenfeld, for his strong leadership, dedication and commitment 
in making Port Washington a more beautiful town.
  In 1968, Myron and a group of concerned citizens founded Residents 
for a More Beautiful Port Washington with the simple plan to plant a 
tree by a gas station. Soon, the people of Port Washington began to 
organize daily for environmental action and Myron's organization slowly 
grew from a handful of members to a prestigious and influential non-
profit action group. Today, Residents for a More Beautiful Port 
Washington boasts more than 2,000 active members who cross political, 
racial, religious, ethnic and economic divides to preserve and enhance 
the environment of Port Washington and the surrounding communities.
  Among the major projects the group has spearheaded are: protecting 
drinking water, building waterfront trails, contributing thousands of 
dollars to the Port Washington Board of Education to fund projects 
which helps students to learn about our ecosystem, planning the Main 
Street Park and Town Dock, and of course, planting hundreds of trees 
throughout Port Washington.
  As the founder and chairman of Residents for a More Beautiful Port 
Washington, Myron Blumenfeld has consistently displayed his lifelong 
passion and spirit to improve our environment and our quality of life. 
A graduate of Syracuse University with a Masters Degree in Business 
from New York University, Myron was vice president of Bloomingdales for 
34 years where he routinely answered his phone with ``Save Hempstead 
Harbor''. Myron's commitment to the environment was quickly recognized 
by then Governor Cuomo who appointed Myron as Chairman of the Long 
Island Parks Commission. As Chairman, Myron initiated the first Long 
Island Parks environmental education program. Myron also served as 
Chair of the Sierra Club's Atlantic Chapter and formed the Sierra 
Club's first Long Island Chapter. In addition, Myron served on the 
boards of the Environmental Planning Lobby and American Friends of Neot 
Kedumin. In November of 2002, Myron and the Residents for a More 
Beautiful Port Washington received the well deserved Environmental 
Advocates of New York State Award.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to represent such an exceptional individual 
and commend Myron Blumenfeld for his dedication to preserving and 
working for the beautification of Port Washington. On May 18, 2003, 
Residents for a More Beautiful Port Washington will recognize Myron's 
important contributions at its 35th Annual Gala. I ask my colleagues in 
the House of Representatives to please join me in wishing Myron 
Blumenfeld and the Residents for a More Beautiful Port Washington many 
more years of success as they celebrate their 35th Anniversary.

                          ____________________