[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 44 (Monday, March 16, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E331]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           HONORING YAEL LEVY

                                  _____
                                 

                          HON. ELIOT L. ENGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 16, 2015

  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, my district is blessed to have an incredible 
array of natural beauty, and community members that work to highlight 
and preserve this beauty do a wonderful service for the neighborhood. 
When it comes to Yael Levy, who founded Riverdale Riverfest, the 
commitment to highlighting the need for expanded access to our scenic 
Hudson waterway has turned a simple passion into a community calling.
  Yael founded Riverdale Riverfest in June, 2010 in hopes of advancing 
the timetable for construction of the Hudson River Greenway Link, a 
waterfront park that would connect the Manhattan Hudson River Greenway 
to the old Croton Aqueduct Trail in Westchester County. The festival 
has become an annual tradition for many, bringing people from all over 
the Northwest Bronx to the campus of the College of Mount Saint 
Vincent, which sits on the Hudson's shores. The festival is a great 
time for the entire family, and offers everything from stage 
performances and local vendors to boat rides. By giving the community a 
taste of how wonderful year round public access to the waterfront would 
be, the festival has gone a long way toward building the public support 
necessary to make the Greenway Link a reality.
  When Yael is not working to expand river access, she is serving as 
Deputy Chief of the Appeals Bureau at the Nassau County District 
Attorney's Office, and teaching New York Criminal Practice at St. 
John's University School of Law.
  A proud mother of three, Yael has loved raising her family in 
Riverdale, and hopes to someday be able to cycle with them along the 
Hudson without having to start by leaving the Bronx.
  This year, The Riverdale Jewish Community Relations Council is 
honoring Yael with the Community Builder Award at their annual 
Legislative Breakfast. I want to congratulate Yael on this wonderful 
honor, and thank her for all she has done to enhance and promote our 
beautiful community.

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