[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 2 (Thursday, January 6, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E17-E18]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   IN HONOR OF JERRY KUROWYCKYJ, SR.

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 6, 2011

  Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay special tribute to the late 
Jerry Kurowyckyj, Sr., a dedicated community leader, activist, and 
local business owner in New York City, who passed away last year. Known 
as the ``Mayor of Ukraine,'' his extensive commitment to serving others 
was profoundly appreciated by the Lower Manhattan community he loved. 
Sadly, New York has lost a neighborhood leader and a food-lovers icon.

[[Page E18]]

  For nearly three decades, Mr. Kurowyckyj helped manage his family-
owned business, Kurowyckyj Meats, Inc., in Manhattan's East Village 
neighborhood, a commercial and cultural hub for New Yorkers of 
Ukrainian and Polish descent during the post-World War II era. Founded 
in 1955 by Mr. Kurowyckyj's father, the shop became an integral part of 
the neighborhood, and a mecca for gourmands throughout the tri-state 
area. Kurowyckyj Meats was acclaimed throughout New York not only for 
its delicious, fresh pork products such as bologna, frankfurters, 
rolled bacon, sweet sausages, spicy salami, trays of smoked hams, and 
homemade kovbasa, but also for its personal customer service. It was 
praised by the New York Times as an ``East Village haven'' and written 
up glowingly in respected periodicals such as Gourmet and Food and Wine 
magazines. The shop was one of the last in the city to operate an 
original smokehouse, which lent a unique flavor to the store's 
delicacies. Sadly, the store closed in 2007, a victim of changing times 
and tastes.
  Remembered for his continuous generosity, Mr. Kurowyckyj made 
immeasurable contributions to the civic life of his community. For much 
of his life, Mr. Kurowyckyj was a dedicated and energetic member of New 
York's Community Board 3, applying his strong leadership abilities and 
lifelong devotion to Lower Manhattan to maintaining and improving the 
quality of life in the neighborhood he loved.
  Among his many volunteer efforts, Mr. Kurowyckyj dedicated his time 
and attention to several local institutions in the community, including 
the St. George Ukrainian Church. His enterprising initiative and dogged 
perseverance were instrumental in enabling the church to move into its 
current location on East 7th Street, and its site remains a testament 
to his efforts.
  As a distinguished leader of his community, Mr. Kurowyckyj not only 
reached out to local residents, but to recent immigrants as well. Upon 
their arrival in the neighborhood, Mr. Kurowyckyj provided assistance 
and knowledge to help them establish themselves in New York. His 
compassion and individual attention exerted a strong positive impact on 
the lives of countless individuals.
  Mr. Kurowyckyj's proud devotion to his Ukrainian heritage is carried 
on today by his wife, Iryna Kurowyckyj, President of the National Board 
of the Ukrainian National Women's League of America. Mr. Kurowyckyj is 
also survived by his son, Jerry, Jr., and daughter, Oksana.
  Mr. Speaker, I salute the life and work of Mr. Jerry Kurowyckyj and I 
ask that my distinguished colleagues in this House join me in 
recognizing his extraordinary service to others and immeasurable 
contributions to the civic and business life of our nation's greatest 
city.

                          ____________________