[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 63 (Monday, May 7, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E714]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       IN HONOR OF RICHARD SOSIS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ELIOT L. ENGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 7, 2012

  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, Richard Sosis is a committed social activist 
who has contributed to his communities through his work as a teacher 
and an attorney. He was born in 1941 in the Bronx to Phil, a union 
activist father, and Muriel, a mother active in tenant's-rights causes 
including the unsuccessful integration of Parkchester. His parents 
worked for racial and economic justice, rearing Richard in a household 
where politics was a constant conversation, even bringing him to 
demonstrations for civil rights causes.
  This turned near tragic when the family attended a concert in 
Peekskill featuring Paul Robeson which was attacked by local racists 
protesting an integrated gathering. On the bus ride home, rocks smashed 
the bus windows and Muriel had to remove pieces of glass from his hair.
  Not unexpectedly, Richard joined the civil rights and anti-war 
struggles of his youth. At CCNY he was a leader in gathering support 
for Freedom Rides and marches on Washington to press for greater civil 
rights for all Americans.
  In 1963 he graduated and taught social studies teacher in a Queens 
middle school. In 1964 he entered St. John's University School of Law, 
graduating in 1967, passing the bar and becoming a practicing attorney. 
For eight years he had two full-time jobs--a teacher in Queens and as a 
lawyer in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn.
  In 1971 Richard married Marion McBride, and they bought a brownstone 
in Cobble Hill. In 1975 their daughter Karin was born and in 1978 their 
son Andrew was born. Andrew passed away several years ago, and Karin 
lives and works in central Africa.
  After Karin's birth Richard focused on teaching, with one of the 
first programs teaching law in a NYC public school. In 1995 he pursued 
his legal practice full-time.
  Richard and Marion divorced in 1989, and Richard moved to Hillcrest 
Avenue and was elected President of the PTA at Albert Leonard Middle 
School. He met math teacher Judith Bobrow, and in 1991 they were 
married. Judith and Richard had a daughter Leah, in 1994, who is a 
senior and on the high honor roll at New Rochelle High School.
  Richard has been on the Board of the New Rochelle Bar Association, 
and served as its president from 2007 to 2009. He continues his work 
with the Lawyer-in-the-Classroom program, which partners local 
attorneys with teachers and schools across the city.
  Richard is the current Chair of the New Rochelle Zoning Board, having 
served on the board as a member and chair for almost 10 years.
  For his years of service to his communities, I join with the New 
Rochelle Democratic Club in honoring Richard Sosis and wish him every 
success.

                          ____________________