[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 172 (Thursday, November 19, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2811-E2812]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           RICHARD SALINARDI

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MICHAEL E. McMAHON

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 19, 2009

  Mr. McMAHON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Richard Salinardi. 
Mr. Salinardi has done extensive work with the developmentally disabled 
population for the past 40 years. He has ensured that disabled 
individuals in my district have had their voices heard.
  Mr. Salinardi has spent much of his career improving the treatment of 
developmentally disabled individuals. From his 30 years of teaching 
developmentally disabled adults through his decades volunteering his 
time and knowledge, he has helped these individuals become productive 
members of our community.
  Richard serves as the Executive Director of Lifestyles for the 
Disabled Inc., overseeing all aspects of the agency. Richard has taken 
an aggressive and innovative approach, yielding remarkable results.

[[Page E2812]]

  While the Lifestyles for the Disabled family continues to grow, 
Richard has maintained a solid connection to his roots. As an alumnus 
of Wagner College, Mr. Salinardi started a program to have students 
from his alma mater volunteer their time at Lifestyles, maximizing 
their college experiences.
  Mr. Salinardi continues to volunteer his time with Special Olympics 
at Wagner College. The Special Olympics program at Wagner started 35 
years ago with 10 athletes and has grown to over 500 athletes, training 
year-round. Since 1975, Richard has served as the Staten Island Area 
Coordinator and currently serves as the Chairman of the Board of 
Special Olympics of New York.
  Mr. Salinardi is a truly great American and a dedicated community 
leader. Because of the devotion of Richard Salinardi, I know that 
disabled individuals on Staten Island and around New York City are in 
good hands.
  Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in commending Richard 
Salinardi for his dynamic leadership and acknowledging the impact he 
has made on the developmentally disabled of Staten Island.

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