[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 125 (Friday, September 29, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1946]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                IN RECOGNITION OF SENATOR GEORGE ONORATO

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 29, 2006

  Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Senator George 
Onorato, an outstanding New Yorker and a great American. For more than 
half a century, George Onorato has distinguished himself as a dedicated 
public servant devoted to his family, his State, and his country.
  Senator Onorato is an accomplished and hardworking legislator who is 
well respected by his colleagues. After his election to the New York 
State Senate in 1983, he successfully sponsored legislation benefitting 
seniors, consumers, tenants, Medicare patients, the environment, and 
current and former members of the U.S. armed forces. George Onorato has 
held positions in Senate leadership since 1992, and currently serves as 
Vice Chair of the Minority Conference, as a member of the Policy 
Committee of the Senate Democratic Conference, and as the Ranking 
Member of the Committee on Insurance. Because of his leadership on 
issues affecting the environment and air quality, he was appointed Co-
Chairman of the State Senate's Democratic Task Force on Energy & 
Conservation. Senator Onorato also serves on the Minority Task Force on 
Waterfront Development, a platform he has used to promote one of his 
most cherished goals, creating more affordable housing for the elderly 
and for moderate and low income New Yorkers. He is a past President of 
the Conference of Italian American Legislators.
  In addition to his tenure in the State Legislature, Senator Onorato 
has distinguished himself in service to his country. He served in the 
United States Army, 118th Medical Battalion from 1950 to 1952, and was 
awarded a Presidential Citation. To this day, he remains a champion for 
veterans and their families as well as current members of the armed 
forces. As a member of the Senate Minority Task Force on Vietnam 
Veterans and the Acting Ranking Minority Member of the Senate Committee 
on Veterans Affairs, Senator Onorato was a sponsor of legislation 
providing student aid to Vietnam veterans, and in 1997 introduced 
legislation to increase the level of such funding. He sponsored and 
supported legislation to help develop a data base for research on 
dioxin-related birth defects of children born to Vietnam veterans. In 
2003, Sentor Onorato was one of the founders of the bipartisan New York 
State Armed Forces Legislative Caucus, which he currently co-chairs.
  Just as noteworthy as his dedication to public service, George 
Onorato is a devoted and loving family man. He is married to the former 
Athena Georgakakos. They have three adult children, Joanne, George and 
Janice, and six grandchildren. His wife regularly accompanies him to 
legislative sessions in Albany, where the two of them are a universally 
admired and inseparable couple.
  Senator Onorato and his wife are equally devoted to their community. 
A lifelong resident of Astoria, Senator Onorato, is active in numerous 
civic organizations. Since 1972, he has served as Chairman of the Board 
of Directors of the Taminent Regular Democratic Club, one of the 
largest and most prominent Democratic Clubs in our nation's greatest 
city. Senator Onorato has also served as a Democratic Leader of the 
36th Assembly District since 1977.
  Mr. Speaker, in recognition of his courageous wartime service to our 
country in the United States Army, to the people of the State of New 
York, and to his beloved family, I ask that my distinguished colleagues 
join me to pay tribute to the enormous contributions to civic life made 
by the Honorable George Onorato.

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