[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 148 (Wednesday, October 5, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1769]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  PAYING TRIBUTE TO ST. MARY'S BENEVOLENT SOCIETY'S 100TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MAURICE D. HINCHEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, October 5, 2011

  Mr. HINCHEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the celebration of 
St. Mary's Benevolent Society's 100th Anniversary. The Society is an 
organization that provides social and community enrichment for Italian-
American's in Kingston, New York and the greater community. St. Mary's 
Benevolent Society is a beloved meeting hall and a cornerstone of the 
local community. I am proud that the constituents of New York's 22nd 
Congressional District continue to support the traditions and values of 
this esteemed fraternity.
  From its creation in 1911, St. Mary's Benevolent Society has been 
committed to providing social club members with an environment that 
fosters camaraderie through hosting large gatherings, dinners, and 
church services. The Society's original mission was to help each other 
in times of illness or distress; a mission still carried on today. In 
addition to these traditions that continue a century later, the Society 
also maintains three church services a year: Christmas Day, Easter 
Sunday and the Feast Day of St. Mary. These highly esteemed gatherings 
have contributed to the success and respect of St. Mary's Benevolent 
Society.
  Kingston has changed greatly since 1911, yet St. Mary's Benevolent 
Society continues to thrive in our community and hold true to its core 
values of providing Italian-Americans with support and services that 
are essential to the community. Mr. Speaker, it gives me a great 
pleasure to recognize St. Mary's Benevolent Society as it celebrates 
its 100th Anniversary during its Annual Feast of Saint Mary. I am 
confident that St. Mary's Benevolent Society will continue to thrive 
and be an asset to the City of Kingston for many years to come.

                          ____________________