[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 92 (Wednesday, July 7, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1304]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  IN RECOGNITION OF MARY E. LEISHMAN, LIFELONG COMMUNITY ACTIVIST AND 
                        FRIEND OF NEW YORK CITY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 7, 2004

  Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to acknowledge the achievements of 
Mary E. Leishman, a longtime resident and champion of New York City. 
Ms. Leishman, who passed away on June 12, 2004, leaves behind a large 
and caring family, devoted friends, loyal colleagues and an incredible 
record of community service. Mary worked every day to promote the 
interests of her community and to better the lives of New York City 
residents. The city and people of New York will miss her dearly.
  Ms. Leishman was known as the ``Godmother of Yorkville''--the area of 
Manhattan she called home for the majority of her life. Yorkville lies 
between the Upper East Side and East Harlem neighborhoods of Manhattan, 
which are traditionally regarded as the borough's wealthiest and 
poorest areas. The great diversity of Ms. Leishman's neighborhood 
fueled her many accomplishments, and provided the setting for her 
significant contributions to the public good.
  Mary was truly a servant of the people, devoting much of her time and 
energy to New York City politics and public policy. Ms. Leishman served 
for more than fifteen years as a District Leader of the Eastside 
Democratic Club and was a longtime delegate to the Democratic County 
Convention. Mary worked tirelessly for the causes in which she 
believed, and showed a particular affinity for ``grassroots'' 
campaigning. Mary was always available to work at polling locations, 
collect signatures and perform other administrative tasks--duties that 
are essential to the functioning of our democracy, but that are often 
overlooked.
  Mary was always attentive to the adage that ``all politics is 
local.'' Ms. Leishman was a devoted member of Manhattan Community Board 
Eight, serving in both professional and volunteer capacities. Ms. 
Leishman was the Chairwoman of Board Eight's Roosevelt Island Committee 
and for decades visited the island at least twice a week to assess 
neighborhood concerns and needs. Mary is perhaps best remembered, 
however, for her efforts to help a great many New Yorkers, particularly 
veterans and the disabled, find affordable places to live. Indeed, Ms. 
Leishman led Board Eight's efforts to preserve the Upper East Side's 
stock of moderate-income housing.
  In recent days, many of Ms. Leishman's friends have contacted me to 
relate stories of Mary's great kindness to individuals in her 
community. I understand that not too long ago, Ms. Leishman and a 
friend were walking along 34th Street in Manhattan when a man stopped 
to ask them for money. Noticing that the man was barefoot, Mary led him 
to a nearby store and bought him socks and a new pair of shoes. 
Similarly, Mary was known to regularly provide hot meals to homeless 
persons she encountered in her travels around the city. These are only 
a few examples of Mary's generous spirit, but they underscore the fact 
that Ms. Leishman never ignored the most vulnerable members of her 
community.
  Mr. Speaker, I request that my colleagues join me in honoring the 
late Mary Leishman, whose lifetime of community service exemplifies the 
tradition of civic involvement that makes America the greatest nation 
in the world. To Ms. Leishman's friends, family members and colleagues, 
I offer my continuing respect, admiration and support.

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