[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 81 (Tuesday, June 2, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1283-E1284]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           HONORING MARY CRISALLI SANSONE AND ZACHARY SANSONE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MICHAEL E. McMAHON

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 2, 2009

  Mr. McMAHON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge, congratulate 
and celebrate the 93rd Birthday of a prominent Brooklyn community 
activist and civil rights trailblazer, Mary Crisalli Sansone and the 
93rd Birthday of her beloved and devoted husband of 60 years, Zachary 
Sansone.
  Since her early days of union organizing with her father, to her 
involvement with the late Bayard Rustin of the civil rights movement, 
Mary has fought for social justice and human rights throughout her 
life.
  Mary is the founder of three very influential New York City 
organizations. Mary organized the first coalition of African Americans, 
Latinos and Italians in New York City in the 1960s to promote racial 
harmony, which resulted in the formation of an organization comprised 
of community leaders known as CURE, Community Understanding for Racial 
and Ethnic Equality. CURE builds bridges between all racial, ethnic and 
religious groups to promote tolerance through education and 
cooperation.
  In the 1970s, Mary founded CIAO, the Congress of Italian Americans 
Organization, which has developed and continues to run many social 
service programs to help the poor and needy. Mary is and has been a 
political godmother and angel to those in need.
  Mary also is the founder of New Era Democrats (NED), an independent 
political association. NED is a good government group that promotes and 
assists government leaders and candidates for elected office who 
espouse the utmost integrity and independence, regardless of party 
affiliation.
  Zachary Sansone was born in Brooklyn, New York and grew up in Naples, 
Italy. After law school, he was inducted into the Italian Army as a 
First Lieutenant. Zachary served as the Mayor of the town of San 
Antonio in

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Naples. Upon his return to New York in 1949, he married Mary Crisalli--
and Zachary and Mary have been happily married for 60 years. Zachary 
worked as a checker and clerk at the waterfront for over 20 years. In 
1970, he organized and directed the Mott Street Senior Center in 
Manhattan. Now retired and celebrating his own 93rd Birthday, he 
dedicates all of his time to CIAO, CURE and the Ralph J. Sansone 
Foundation.
  Zachary and Mary Crisalli Sansone have dedicated their lives to 
helping others without ever asking anyone for anything in return. I am 
honored to stand here today both to recognize Mary and Zachary Sansone 
on their 93rd Birthdays, and to acknowledge their 60th Anniversary.

                          ____________________