[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 59 (Tuesday, April 15, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E617-E618]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING MR. JOSEPH DELANEY FOR HIS YEARS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE ON 
                        STATEN ISLAND, NEW YORK

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. VITO FOSSELLA

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 15, 2008

  Mr. FOSSELLA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a pillar of 
community service in my district, Mr. Joseph Delaney. The University of 
Notre Dame Alumni Association officially recognizes 230 Alumni clubs 
throughout the world. This includes the University of Notre Dame Alumni 
Club of Staten Island, located in my Congressional District. For 10 
years the Staten Island Club was led by a gentleman I rise to honor 
today, Mr. Joseph Delaney.
  During Joe's leadership, the Alumni Club became one of the most 
altruistic, charity-oriented organizations on Staten Island. The 
University of Notre Dame Alumni Association recognized the Staten 
Island Club with its prestigious Charlie F. Lennon Award, recognizing 
it as the most outstanding club in the entire network, in both 1999 and 
2005. The club was also recognized by the University Alumni Association 
as the most outstanding club for their size of membership three times, 
in 1997, 2002, and 2005.
  Joe's community service is not restricted solely to his leadership of 
the Alumni Club. In the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks Joe arranged 
for the University of Notre Dame Glee Club to visit Staten Island and 
headline a fundraiser which raised $11,000 to help the families of 
police and fire officers who died at the World Trade Center. On two 
separate occasions Joe has coordinated fundraisers for the benefit of 
St. Peter's Elementary School raising a total of $17,000 for the 
school.
  While no longer serving as the Club's President, Joe continues to 
direct their annual Christmas Toy Drive which aides the Salvation Army, 
The New York Foundling Hospital, and the Seaman's Society. He also 
coordinates their Annual Thanksgiving Clothes Drive which provides 
coats to the needy at Project Hospitality. One of Joe's greatest 
charity successes has been building the annual ``Bread of Life Food 
Drive.'' Through this drive the Alumni

[[Page E618]]

Club has donated over 800,000 food products to local needy families and 
individuals. The New York City Council recognized Joe's efforts for the 
Food Drive and honored him with an award in 1997.
  Certainly, Joe Delaney is a giant of the Staten Island community 
service community and I rise today to join the Notre Dame Alumni Club 
in honoring Joe for his years of service to our community. The Alumni 
Club will be honoring Joe at their annual ``Universal Notre Dame 
Celebration'' on April 18th.
  I rise to offer gratitude to Mr. Delaney on behalf of my constituents 
on Staten Island, and to thank him for his years of community service.

                          ____________________