[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 17 (Monday, February 2, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E146]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING AURELIA GREENE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ELIOT L. ENGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, February 2, 2015

  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, the people who devote their lives so 
selflessly to public service are the ones who transform and change 
entire communities. Such has been the case with Aurelia Greene, my 
longtime friend and partner in government, whose distinguished career 
of public service has made a positive, lasting impact on the Bronx and 
far beyond.
  A native Bronxite, Aurelia is a graduate of Livingston College at 
Rutgers University, where she majored in Community Development. 
Following school she became a Public Agency Administrator, a prelude to 
her eventual calling in government. She was elected female district 
leader for the 76th district before winning the Assembly seat in the 
Bronx's 77th district in 1981. For the next 27 years, Aurelia served in 
the Assembly with distinction, using her urban planning skills to 
negotiate for affordable housing, healthcare, a quality education and 
employment opportunities for all New Yorkers. She regularly sponsored 
educational and informational seminars to aid her constituents on 
issues of concern, and worked hard to bring economic development and 
businesses to her district.
  Aurelia's legislative achievements are many, as she introduced and 
passed a number of important bills in the State Legislature during her 
time as Assemblywoman. Rising through the ranks, she became the Speaker 
Pro Tempore of the Assembly in 2006, the first African-American to hold 
the prestigious position which oversees the chamber in the absence of 
the Assembly Speaker. She also chaired the Assembly's Bronx delegation 
as the longest serving member in the Assembly from the Bronx.
  In 2009, Aurelia was asked to serve as Deputy Borough President by 
newly elected Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. She has been a steady 
voice and excellent confidant for the borough president ever since.
  Aurelia celebrated her 80th birthday in October, 2014 at a gala 
brunch hosted in her honor. As I was in attendance, I had the great 
pleasure of wishing her nothing but the very best on the occasion, and 
thanked her for all of her amazing service to the public good.

                          ____________________