[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 4 (Tuesday, January 15, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E34]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  IN RECOGNITION OF AMERICAN JEWISH COMMITTEE NEW YORK 2012 WOMEN OF 
  VALOR MARLENE ALTMAN, JOAN DEAN, JO RENEE FINE, JUDITH O'NEILL AND 
                             ANDREA PASTOR

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 15, 2013

  Mrs.  CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay 
tribute to five extraordinary women being honored at the American 
Jewish Committee, AJC, New York's 2012 Woman of Valor event. This year, 
AJC New York is awarding Marlene Altman, Joan Dean, Jo Renee Fine, 
Judith O'Neill, and Andrea Pastor with this outstanding distinction. 
All of the honorees have made important contributions in their personal 
and professional lives to the vital mission of AJC to advocate for the 
security of Jewish people around the world.
  Marlene Altman studied mathematics at the University of Colorado, and 
spent her early career working for the U.S. Bureau of the Census. After 
moving to New York in 1983, Ms. Altman became CBS News Director of 
Election Operations. Political and cultural activism has always been 
central in her life. In 1993, Ms. Altman moved to St. Louis with her 
husband Murray, where she earned a Masters degree in Political Science 
and became involved in the AJC, the Jewish Community Center, JCC, and 
other arts and cultural organizations. She has continued been active in 
AJC and UJA since returning to New York City in 2002.
  I am proud to see that Joan Dean is being honored as a Woman of 
Valor. Ms. Dean is a strong community leader who served as my Finance 
Director from 2006-2008. She has been active in politics and 
fundraising for most of her career, much of which she spent in 
California. She is a board member of AJC New York and co-chair of the 
National Outreach and Advocacy Committee. Ms. Dean has shown 
extraordinary leadership in Jewish organizations for many years. She 
founded an Upstate New York Hadassah chapter, was Vice President of the 
Upper New York State Region of Hadassah, and served as President of the 
AJC Board in San Diego, CA. Ms. Dean is the proud mother of Lisa and 
Amy Cohen and loving grandmother to five grandchildren.
  Jo Renee Fine is a renowned educator and photographer who has 35 
years of experience in private and public sectors advising 
organizations on web and print communication. Dr. Fine has published 
two photo-documentary books: The Synagogues of New York's Lower East 
Side and a more recent edition with the same title. Dr. Fine is on the 
AJC New York Regional Board of Directors for which she chairs the 
Interreligious and Intergroup Relations Committee. She is also a member 
of the AJC National Board of Governors, Co-chair of Project People 
Foundation, and Vice President of the Jewish Community Relations 
Council of New York. Dr. Fine and her husband, Dr. Edward Trieber, are 
proud parents to their daughter, Jessica.
  Judith O'Neill is an attorney with 37 years of experience in the 
telecommunications and energy sector. She has done consulting work in 
more than 85 countries and throughout the developing world. In her role 
as Surgeons of Hope Board member, she is working with the Nicaraguan 
government to develop a Pediatric Cardiac Surgical Center for children 
in Managua. Ms. O'Neill is an active member of both AJC-New York Region 
and the national AJC Board, where she chairs the Energy Steering 
Committee.
  Andrea Pastor spent her career in the information technology sector 
working as Chief of Management Information Services for the Bureau of 
Drugs and as a securities law attorney in New York City. After 
retiring, she became involved in AJC chapters across the country. Ms. 
Pastor served as President of AJC-Milwaukee and AJC-Palm Beach 
chapters. She was also President and Chair of the Milwaukee Jewish 
Federation Women's Division Political Awareness program and held 
leadership positions in philanthropic organizations, such as the 
American Heart Association. Ms. Pastor is on the AJC-New York Board and 
Executive Committee, and co-chairs the Region's Immigration Committee.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in saluting these truly 
inspiring Women of Valor who are all outstanding leaders in the Jewish 
community and New York City at large.

                          ____________________