[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 30 (Thursday, February 25, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E222-E223]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING ETTA F. RITTER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSE E. SERRANO

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 25, 2016

  Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, as we celebrate Black History Month this 
year, I am honored to reflect on the contributions African-Americans 
have made within my district in Bronx County. That is why I am proud to 
have this opportunity to recognize Ms. Etta F. Ritter for her many 
years of tireless work to improve the lives of our community residents.
  Etta F. Ritter is a native of Bronx County, spending her early years 
as a resident of Butler Houses, where she attended PS 132, CES 55 and 
IS 148. She later attended secondary school at Murry Bergtraum High 
School for Business Careers in Manhattan and majored in Secretarial 
Studies, graduating in 1982. Ms. Ritter then attended Manhattan 
Community College for one year, received an offer to work that started 
her on her career path. She has continued her education throughout the 
years in different venues.
  Ms. Ritter was hired at the New York City Office of Management and 
Budget as a back-up secretary in 1984. She was later promoted as a 
statistical typist within the Community Development Unit and was 
subsequently promoted and transferred to the Computer Services Unit as 
a help desk coordinator. Ms. Ritter worked at the NYC Office of 
Management

[[Page E223]]

and Budget up until October 1996, when she was hired as a Community 
Coordinator at Bronx Community Board Three, which covers parts of the 
Melrose, Claremont, Morrisania, and Crotona Park neighborhoods in my 
district.
  She recognized that working at Bronx Community Board Three plays an 
important role in improving the quality of life for residents within 
Community District Three. As community coordinator at Bronx Community 
Board Three, Ms. Ritter ensures that agendas and minutes are 
distributed on a monthly basis to area residents, elected officials, 
community based organizations and media contacts. She plays a vital 
role in ensuring that complaints/concerns relating to the delivery of 
municipal city services are addressed in a timely fashion.
  In June of 2013, Ms. Ritter was promoted to Administrative Manager 
based on her extensive relevant work experience. Under direction of the 
district manager and with wide latitude for independent initiative and 
judgment, she manages the daily operations of the office and performs 
difficult analytical work in the preparation and administration of the 
operating budget for Bronx Community Board Three. As the Fiscal 
Officer/Preparer for all budget documents, Ms. Ritter analyzes, 
prepares and modifies the Other than Personal Services Budget (OTPS) 
each year.
  Ms. Ritter is pleased to work at a community board that has been 
``first'' in the approval process involving the creation of numerous 
affordable housing and economic development projects, including a Sect. 
197-A Neighborhood Development Plan, the Presbyterian Senior Services 
Grandparents Apartment building with support services for grandparents 
raising their grandchildren, the development of Boricua Village, which 
includes a major college campus in Boricua College that serves 
approximately 2,000 students and provides approximately 700 units of 
new housing and retail development, the Cross Bronx Plaza at East 174th 
Street, veterans housing and subsidized, affordable, green LEEDS rated 
homes.
  Ms. Ritter's long-term devotion to the Bronx is truly noteworthy, and 
we can also see the progress our borough has made thanks as a result. I 
am so pleased to be able to recognize her efforts here in Congress. She 
will be celebrating 32 years of City service come April 2, 2016 and 
celebrates her life with her son Bashiek Dorsey, 31, who served in the 
Army protecting our country and now resides in Irving, Texas.
  Mr. Speaker, I respectfully ask that you and my other distinguished 
colleagues join me in honoring Ms. Etta F. Ritter for her consistently 
remarkable dedication to public service and longstanding commitment to 
improving our community.

                          ____________________