[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 17 (Monday, February 2, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E143-E144]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING VITO MARCANTONIO

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ELIOT L. ENGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, February 2, 2015

  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, it is important to pay homage to those who 
have left an indelible mark on the community and the country as a 
whole. Former Congressman Vito Marcantonio, whose distinguished career 
in office spanned 3 decades, is most deserving of posthumous 
commemoration.
  Vito was born on December 10, 1902 to Italian parents in East Harlem. 
After graduating from NYU Law School in 1924, Vito became Fiorello 
LaGuardia's campaign manager and protege till 1934, when he was first 
elected to congress, filling LaGuardia's vacant seat in the House of 
Representatives.
  Following defeat in 1937, Vito was reelected to the House in 1939 and 
served his East Harlem community in the House till 1950. His long-
standing neighborhood presence, accessibility and responsiveness made 
him an extremely popular figure with the public. This powerful bond 
allowed Vito to build a strong coalition with a diverse political 
constituency.
  As a legislator, Vito was a staunch defender of the civil rights of 
Italian Americans during World War II and of African Americans in the 
40's and 50's. Vito advocated for the desegregation of Washington D.C. 
and in 1945 introduced a House resolution directing the Secretary of 
Commerce to investigate the employment practices of major league 
baseball clubs to determine if they were discriminating against African 
Americans. He was also known as the ``de facto'' representative of 
Puerto Rico in the House and led the drive to try to defeat the anti-
union Taft-Hartley Act.
  Vito passed away in 1954 and was buried in the Historic Woodlawn 
Cemetery in the Bronx. He now rests there next to his beloved wife and 
community activist, Miriam Sanders. On Saturday, August 9th, 2014 the 
Vito Marcantonio Forum hosted a commemorative event on the 60th 
anniversary of his passing at the gravesite. Their remembrance was 
important and well deserved.

[[Page E144]]



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