[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 83 (Tuesday, June 21, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1309]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       CONGRATULATING MRS. DEBORAH BENJAMIN ON HER 50TH BIRTHDAY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GARY L. ACKERMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 21, 2005

  Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join the Benjamin family 
of Glen Head, New York in celebration of the 50th birthday of Mrs. 
Deborah Benjamin, which will be commemorated this Saturday, June 25th, 
2005 at Gotham Hall in Manhattan.
  Deborah Ann Coyle Benjamin was born on June 28, 1955, in Peninsula 
Hospital in Rockaway Beach, New York. Deborah is the eldest of Ken and 
Gladys Coyle's three children. Her sister, Denise DeVita, and brother, 
Ken Coyle, Jr., both live on Long Island in New York.
  Deborah spent her childhood and early adulthood in Rockville Centre, 
New York, where she attended Hewitt Grammar School, and graduated from 
South Side High School. After high school she attended Elizabeth Seton 
College in Westchester, New York.
  In the years after college, Deborah worked for her father's insurance 
company, the Wheatley Agency, for 20 years and retired in 2000 as Vice 
President of Group Insurance Sales.
  In 2000, Deborah married her long-time best friend, Alvin Benjamin of 
Glen Head, New York. Alvin is the Owner/President of Benjamin 
Development in Garden City, New York. They currently reside in Glen 
Head, Manhattan, and Highland Beach, Florida.
  Since her retirement, Mrs. Benjamin has devoted much of her time to 
charitable organizations dedicated to improving the lives of children. 
She is most actively involved with the Fanconi Anemia Research Fund, 
which is dedicated to finding a cure for this rare, but serious blood 
disease. Additionally, Mrs. Benjamin has lent her support to Palm Beach 
County-based Kids In New Directions, which assists children in making 
positive life choices and developing leadership skills. Countless 
children in New York, Florida, and throughout our nation have benefited 
from Deborah Benjamin's philanthropy and her generosity of time and 
spirt.
  Al and Deborah Benjamin enjoy spending time with their families, 
friends, traveling, giving to charities in the New York and Florida 
area, and remain lovingly devoted to one another after 5 years of 
marriage.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask the entire House of Representatives to join me now 
in thanking Deborah Benjamin for her selfless contributions to society, 
in congratulating her on her 50th birthday, and in extending our best 
wishes for her future success and happiness as she marks this important 
and joyous milestone.

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