[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 183 (Monday, December 23, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1910]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     HONORING WAKEFIELD TAXPAYERS & CIVIC LEAGUE 100TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ELIOT L. ENGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, December 23, 2013

  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, citizens groups are the backbone of a 
democracy, banding together to make their lives, their neighborhoods, 
their country a better place.
  I am privileged to have one such extraordinary group in my district, 
the Wakefield Taxpayers and Civic League, which is celebrating its 
100th anniversary. It was formed in 1913 to ``maintain the integrity of 
the community'' and is one of the oldest such organizations in New York 
City.
  The League involves itself in improving their community by, for 
example, getting the outer walls of P.SW. 1 repaired; getting the 
retaining wall abutting a playground on Carpenter Avenue, in danger of 
falling, fixed; advocated successfully for the closing of `topless' 
bars in a residential neighborhood; initiated a study to change zoning 
regulations that allowed motels to be built in residential areas; and 
fought illegal construction and illegal rentals in two- and three-
family homes.
  The League maintains a lively and deep interest in politics and I 
have appeared before them many times seeking their endorsement, as have 
any other person seriously seeking to represent them.
  Wakefield is a beautiful community because its residents work hard to 
keep it so. The League works closely with the District Attorney's Crime 
Assistance unit and has a Wakefield Civilian patrol to deter crime. It 
has stopped crimes in progress, alerted the Fire Department to fires, 
and saves lives by bringing medical attention to accident scenes.
  The Wakefield Taxpayers and Civic League is a model of what citizens 
can accomplish by working together in their neighborhoods. I am proud 
to be associated with them and congratulate them for 100 years of 
building and maintaining a model community.

                          ____________________