[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 2 (Thursday, January 6, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E19]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           IN HONOR OF NEW YORK CITY COUNCILMAN DANIEL DROMM

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 6, 2011

  Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor New York City Council 
Member Daniel Dromm, a pioneering figure in the political history of 
Queens, the most diverse county in the nation. An educator, community 
organizer, union leader, and political activist, Daniel Dromm's 
experience and dedication led voters in New York City's 25th City 
Council District to elect him by an overwhelming margin last year to 
serve as their new Council Member. Last month, Councilman Dromm was 
honored by the Queens Lesbian & Gay Pride Committee at its annual 
Winterpride celebration in Astoria.
  A graduate of St. Mary's Elementary and Boys' High School in 
Manhasset, NY and Marist College in Poughkeepsie, NY, Daniel Dromm went 
on to earn a Master's Degree from City College of the City University 
of New York. Prior to his career as an award-winning New York City 
public school teacher, he served as Educational Director of the Grant 
Day Care Center in Harlem, where he developed his legendary organizing 
skills fighting for the rights of the poor to affordable childcare, 
social services and quality education. He instructed and inspired 
thousands of students at PS 199Q in Queens. In 2006, Dromm was named 
``Outstanding Teacher of the Year'' by his school's principal and in 
2009, he was chosen as ``Educator of the Year'' by the Sunnyside 
Kiwanis Club. In 1992, Danny courageously came out as an openly gay 
teacher, becoming a role model for equality--and front-page news in 
daily newspapers in our nation's greatest city.
  Deeply committed to civil rights and social justice, Dromm has 
established himself a fighter against prejudice, discrimination and 
violence as the founder and former co-chairperson of the Queens Lesbian 
and Gay Pride Committee. Fifteen years ago, he organized the first 
Queens LGBT Pride Parade and Festival, that takes place every year on 
the first Sunday in June in the vibrant Jackson Heights neighborhood. 
Dromm co-founded the Queens Chapter of Parents, Families and Friends of 
Lesbians and Gays (P-FLAG), helped establish the Queens Pride House, 
and co-founded the Generation Q Youth Services Program in Astoria. His 
dedication to the communities he serves is broad and deep, inspiring 
his efforts on behalf of the Kiwanis Club of Jackson Heights, his 
tenure on the Board of Directors of the Corona-based Community 
Conciliation Network, his active membership in the 115th Precinct 
Community Council, and his volunteer duty with the Jackson Heights 
Beautification Group. He has been honored by the Sociedad 
Puertorriquena de Queens for his commitment to the Latino community, 
and serves as a member of the NAACP Corona/East Elmhurst chapter. He 
has been honored by the Korean-American Association of Central Queens, 
by the Times/Ledger newspapers with its Community Leadership Award, and 
by the United Federation of Teachers with its Marsh-Raimo Award, a 
fitting tribute to a dedicated labor activist.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that my distinguished colleagues rise to join me 
in honoring the extraordinary contributions to the political and civic 
life of our nation's greatest city made by the pioneering political 
activist and elected official, New York City Council Member Daniel 
Dromm.

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