[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 90 (Wednesday, June 11, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E955-E956]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING MARY V. LAURO

                                  _____
                                 

                          HON. ELIOT L. ENGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 11, 2014

  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, Mary V. Lauro was a wonderful example of 
someone who had continually given back to her community over the course 
of her 87 years. Her commitment to her Bronx neighborhood was nothing 
short of inspirational.
  Mary was born on May 4, 1926 and spent 50 years of her life living on 
Matilda Avenue in the Bronx. She graduated from Hunter College in 1947 
and later went to work for Adhesive Products Corporation where she co-
invented Monzini; a synthetic casting compound used by many museums in 
dinosaur skeletons as well as by sculptors and makeup artists.
  During her employment, she also found time to be an influential and 
prominent figure in her community. She was the president of the 
Wakefield Taxpayers and Civic League (WTCL) for 25 years and wrote 
about the community in a weekly column for The Bronx News.

[[Page E956]]

  The WTCL is one of the oldest community organizations in the city and 
under the strong leadership of Ms. Lauro the organization took on a 
variety of pressing issues facing the community. These included 
fighting for more police officers--a 10 year battle to shut down a drug 
and prostitution infested OTB parlor--and the completion of a study 
that resulted in new zoning regulation for motels in residential areas.
  Mary established strong relationships with neighboring communities 
and worked closely with the Woodlawn Taxpayers Association. In 
addition, Mary was a former member of Community Board 12, an active 
parishioner at Saint Francis of Rome, a member of the Wakefield 
Civilian Patrol and the Safe Way/Safe Home Program, and a participant 
in the 47th Precinct Community Council who held multiple positions 
throughout her membership.
  Although we lost Mary last year to her battle with lung cancer, my 
wife and I will fondly remember Mary, as she was truly one of a kind. I 
remember her from the beginning of my career, over 40 years ago. She 
was a constant in the community--it was her whole life, and the 
community was like her own family. She lived a full life and will be 
sorely missed.
  Last December the New York City Council voted to honor Mary Lauro by 
re-naming the street she used to live on for more than 50 years as 
``Mary V. Lauro Way.''
  Mary's dedication to improving the community and the lives of its 
inhabitants through her various public service efforts will hopefully 
inspire and remind residents of her legacy and I am proud to be a part 
of the celebration of a woman who had brought so much progress to a 
community.

                          ____________________