[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 35 (Monday, March 2, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E286]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   CATHERINE ``KAY'' SANTANGELO NEST

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BILL PASCRELL, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 2, 2015

  Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Catherine 
``Kay'' Santangelo Nest who will celebrate her 80th birthday and be 
honored for a lifetime of dedicated community service and 
accomplishments tomorrow, Tuesday, March 3, 2015 at the Fort Lee Senior 
Center in Fort Lee, NJ.
  Kay Nest was born and raised in West New York, NJ where she learned 
the value of community and fighting for a greater cause. Kay's father 
was an attorney who often donated his services to those who couldn't 
afford them and her mother worked for the West New York Board of Health 
for over 50 years. Kay's parents devoted much of their time 
volunteering for charitable and political causes and always lending a 
helping hand to those in need, so it does not come as a surprise that 
Kay has become the outstanding individual that she is today.
  I am proud to say that Kay and I share the same Alma Mater, Fordham 
University, where she graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Education. 
Soon after, she married her husband Richard A. Nest, the late Mayor of 
Fort Lee, and they had their first and only child Richard B. Nest.
  Kay has been a past president of UNICO, Palisades General Hospital 
Women's Auxiliary, the Friends of Fort Lee Public Library, and the 
Lions Club. She also served as a Trustee on the Board of Palisades 
General Hospital, the Chairperson of the Fort Lee Democratic Municipal 
Committee, Vice Chairman of the Bergen County Democratic Organization, 
Chairperson of the Fort Lee Parking Authority, Director of Fort Lee 
Citizen Council, and Chairperson of Fort Lee Housing Authority. 
Moreover, while taking up leadership positions in different 
organizations Kay still found the time to help all people in need, 
regardless of their stature in society.
  Kay's love for helping others is what motivated her to enter life in 
politics. However, she did not intend to go into politics herself but 
rather, to make sure that those who were elected to office provided new 
programs that helped those who were less fortunate and served the 
people who elected them. Kay was the passionate voice that brought Fort 
Lee its first two Senior Citizen Housing Apartments and a fully 
operational Senior Citizen Center along with it, ensuring that the 
elderly receive the proper care they deserve.
  Kay exhibits the qualities of an individual we all strive to be more 
like. Her philanthropic work in her community has been recognized and 
led to her being named the 2006 Person of the Year by the the Fort Lee 
Rotary Club in honor of her dedicated and outstanding service to her 
community at large over the years.
  Kay is someone everyone in society can aspire to emulate. I have 
known Kay Nest for many years as a friend and as a fellow public 
servant. I have always admired Kay and she has truly brightened our 
world with her compassion and kind nature.
  The job of a United States Congressman involves much that is 
rewarding, yet nothing compares to recognizing and commemorating the 
achievements of individuals such as Kay Nest.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join our colleagues, Kay's coworkers, 
family and friends, all those whose lives she has touched, and me, in 
recognizing the work of Mrs. Catherine ``Kay'' Santangelo Nest.

                          ____________________