[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 76 (Wednesday, May 21, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1003]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN HONOR OF MARC HAKEN AND THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF HILLTOP VILLAGE CO-
                              OPERATIVE #4

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GARY L. ACKERMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 20, 2003

  Mr. ACKERMAN.  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 50th 
Anniversary of the Hilltop Village Co-operative #4 in Hollis, Queens, 
NY, and its President, Marc Haken for his strong leadership, dedication 
and commitment to the Hilltop Village community.
  On Sunday, August 15, 1952, the New York Times recognized the opening 
of this grand cooperative with a front page article. Constructed under 
the National Housing Act of 1952, Hilltop Village Co-operative #4 was 
the fourth and final completed section of the 500-unit Hilltop Village, 
occupying 150 acres of Queens, NY. Hilltop Village Co-op #4 opened in 
December 1953 with 296 apartments and Joseph Desner as its first 
president.
  Since its completion in 1953, Hilltop Village #4 has emerged as a 
leader in the local community. Among the major projects the group has 
spearheaded and accomplished are: the creation of the Hollis branch of 
the Queens Borough Public Library on 202nd Street and Hillside Avenue, 
the construction of a Post Office on 197th Street and Hillside Avenue, 
and the implementation of a new bus route, the Q76, which runs down 
Francis Lewis Boulevard to the subway terminal at Hillside Avenue and 
179th Street. In addition, residents of Hilltop Village were 
instrumental in the establishment of the Holliswood Jewish Center.
  Community involvement has been especially prominent under the dynamic 
leadership of Marc Haken, who has served as president of the co-op, and 
has been reelected every three years since 1978. Under Mr. Haken's 
direction the co-op became a member of civic and community 
organizations such as the 107th Precinct Council, the Queens Civic 
Congress, whose co-op committee is chaired by Mr. Haken, and the 
Friends of Cunningham Park.
  The co-op also makes financial contributions to several local 
charitable organizations including the Queens Women's Center, the 
Hollis branch of the Queens Borough Public Library, the Jamaica Estates 
Volunteer Ambulance Corp., the Hatzolah Volunteer Ambulance Corp., the 
Youth Committee of Community Board #8 and to the 107th Precinct of the 
New York City Police Department. In addition, the co-op donates roof 
space for radio antennas to both the Jamaica Estates Volunteer 
Ambulance Corp and the New York City Police Department. It also 
provides landscaping services for the center divider of Francis Lewis 
Boulevard. In Marc Haken's 25 years as president of Hilltop Village Co-
operatives, the co-op has expanded its prominent role as a leader in 
the local community.
  I commend Mr. Haken and the Hilltop Villages' Board of Directors--
Michael Rodi, Miriam Null, Bernice Ackerman, Adrienne Bayuk, Steven 
Kasavana and Miguel Ramos--for their continued dedication and 
commitment to community service. I ask my colleagues in the House of 
Representatives to please join me in wishing Marc Haken, the Board of 
Directors, and the shareholders of Hilltop Co-operatives many more 
years of success as they celebrate the 50th Anniversary of this 
wonderful residential community.

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