[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 51 (Tuesday, April 20, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E556]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




IN RECOGNITION OF PHILIP CHRISTOPHER AND CARYN SCHWAB ON THE EVENING OF 
            THE CHARLES J. VALLONE SCHOLARSHIP DINNER DANCE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 20, 2004

  Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Philip Christopher and 
Caryn Schwab, who will be honored at the 2004 Charles J. Vallone 
Scholarship Dinner Dance. For the past seven decades, the Charles J. 
Vallone Scholarship Fund has helped deserving young people from the 
Astoria community attend the college of their choice. Additionally, 
each year, the Scholarship Fund acknowledges community members who have 
made outstanding contributions to the public good.
  This year's honorees, Philip Christopher and Caryn Schwab, certainly 
deserve our appreciation. Ms. Schwab, the Executive Director of the 
Mount Sinai Hospital of Queens, has been a tireless and effective 
advocate for the health care priorities of New York residents for more 
than twenty years. During her distinguished career, Ms. Schwab has 
served as Health Care Advisor to New York City Mayor Ed Koch and as 
Vice President of the Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center. Under her 
direction, the Mount Sinai Hospital of Queens has demonstrated its 
commitment to community service. Ms. Schwab has presided over the 
expansion and modernization of Mount Sinai's emergency room and the 
creation of its new endoscopy and mammography facilities; additionally, 
during her tenure, the Hospital has greatly expanded its inpatient and 
outpatient services to those in need.
  The Scholarship Fund's second honoree, Philip Christopher, is a 
philanthropist and champion of democracy and human rights. Mr. 
Christopher is the CEO of Audiovox Communications Corporation. Under 
his leadership, Audiovox has become a leader in the telecommunications 
industry.
  Mr. Christopher, a native of Cyprus, immigrated to the United States 
when he was ten years old. Following the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 
1974, his ancestral home and property were confiscated by the Turkish 
Army. This tragedy inspired Mr. Christopher to become a passionate 
advocate for human rights. As President of both the Pancyprian 
Association of America and the International Coordinating Committee for 
Justice for Cyprus, Mr. Christopher has used most of his free time to 
fight for the liberation of his homeland. Additionally, Mr. Christopher 
serves on the Board of Directors of the Cellular Telecommunications 
Industry Association and is a member of the Board of Directors of the 
New York Hospital Medical Center of Queens, where he helped found the 
Kyrenia Cardiovascular Center.
  Mr. Speaker, I request that my distinguished colleagues rise and pay 
tribute to the Charles J. Vallone Scholarship Fund and its honorees, 
Caryn Schwab and Philip Christopher. Their many accomplishments are a 
reflection of the vibrant and thriving community they so faithfully 
serve.

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