[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 56 (Wednesday, May 10, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E787-E788]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  IN TRIBUTE TO THE WORK OF ANA PEIERA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 10, 2006

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise in celebration of the life and work 
of Ana Peiera. Ana Peiera championed the cause of the poor and 
disadvantaged of New York City. She courageously led the cause of 
housing for the neediest and most vulnerable and dedicated her life to 
virtues that are admirable and noble. She certainly exemplified Jesus' 
admonition stated in Matthew 25:40 to devote one's life to serve ``the 
least of these.'' She indeed has left an indelible print on the 
landscape of New York City.
  Her advocacy work led her to found the Heritage Health & Housing and 
Community Services organization which serviced many of New York City's 
poor. She was loved in a variety of circles, especially within social 
action and social service professional networks. Jorge Abreui, the 
acting executive director of the Heritage Health & Housing, stated 
``She was a multifaceted social worker, who greatly influenced the 
construction of a safety net to care for this City's neediest--
especially in the Harlem, Washington Heights and South Bronx districts 
of New York.''
  Mr. Speaker, I am grateful for all of the hard work Ana engaged in 
during her life in my Congressional district. However, her legacy 
stretches beyond borders to the hearts of those persons who need homes 
and who are challenged by the likes of poverty, mental illness, Aids 
and drug addiction. Ana became a voice for the voiceless in New York 
City; those who live at the margins of society had a platform through 
Ana to voice their needs.
  She implemented and fought for comprehensive programs to adequately 
address the needs of the underserved. She was never known to dodge even 
the most difficult cases and prided in the opportunity to conquer the 
giants of poverty and homelessness. She believed that her life could 
reach even the most destitute who found themselves in the grips of 
calamity and deprivation. Through 24-hour/7 days a week comprehensive 
programs she managed to wrestle those individuals away from the strong 
grips of poverty and lack.
  Before starting Heritage Housing she worked in New York City Housing 
authority. From 1972 to 1978 she was the District Supervisor for 
Community Services. From 1969 to 1972, she was Director of the Senior 
Advocacy Services in the Bronx. She provided leadership in a host of 
other capacities that all centered on addressing the needs of the poor.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to enter into the Congressional Record an 
article titled, ``Memorial Tribute to Ana Peiera'' featured in 
CARIBNEWS on May 2, 2006, highlighting the achievements of Ana Peiera.

                    Memorial Tribute To Ana Pereira


    Tireless Founder Dedicated Life Work to New York City's Neediest

       On Thursday, April 27, 2006, elected officials; health, 
     housing and social service professionals; family and friends 
     will join Heritage Health and Housing to celebrate the life 
     of one if its founders, Ana Pereira. The former Executive 
     Director, who championed housing for New York City's 
     neediest, will be memorialized at a special ceremony at Aaron 
     Davis Hall from 4 p.m.-6 p.m. The ceremony, hosted by WHCR-FM 
     radio personality, Jeanne Parnell Habersham, will conclude 
     with a special reception.
       ``Ana Pereira was a beloved figure in New York City's 
     social action circles'', stated Jorge Abreui, Heritage Health 
     & Housing acting Executive Director. ``She was a multifaceted 
     social worker, who greatly influenced the construction of a 
     safety net to care for this City's neediest--especially in 
     the Harlem, Washington Heights and South Bronx districts of 
     New York. Her legacy lies in the care of persons who needed 
     homes, and suffered from mental illness, addiction, AIDS, 
     poverty, and the accompanying deprivation typically evident 
     in the lives of many of her consumers of service. I knew her 
     for 21 years, and worked with her for 18 of those years, 
     crafting programs, fighting for, and winning services for the 
     underserved''.
       Under Ms. Pereira's supervision, Heritage Housing and 
     Community Services developed a reputation as an agency 
     willing to take on the most difficult cases and help 
     individuals transform their lives through programs providing 
     a full continuum of care, from 24-hour/7-days-a-week 
     supervision to semi-independent living. Working with the 
     mentally ill, substance abusers, individuals with HIV/AIDS, 
     the homeless and ex-offenders, the Agency, through Ms. 
     Pereira's strong, personal leadership, helped its clients 
     achieve independence and become contributing members of their 
     communities.
       Prior to starting Heritage Housing and Community Services, 
     Ms. Pereira worked in various capacities for the New York 
     City Housing Authority.
       From 1972 to 1978, she was a District Supervisor for 
     Community Services and managed a District office responsible 
     for community services in 35 different housing developments. 
     At the time, she was responsible for agency budgets totaling 
     $25 million. From 1969 to 1972, she was Director of the 
     Senior Advocacy Services in the Bronx, responsible for 
     training and supervising case workers who provided services 
     for homebound elderly.
       In effort to keep her legacy alive, the Board of Directors 
     and staff of Heritage

[[Page E788]]

     Health and Housing established The Ana Pereira Memorial 
     Endowment Fund 416 West 127th Street, New York New York 
     10027. From deep in the heart of Harlem to the Banks of the 
     South Bronx, Ana will be missed but never forgotten.

                          ____________________