[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 54 (Monday, April 11, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E390-E391]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING SHIRLEY SAUNDERS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ELIOT L. ENGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 11, 2016

  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a Bronx leader who has 
been a friend and partner to me in the Co-op City community for many 
years, the incomparable Shirley Saunders. I have been friends with 
Shirley ever since we attended Evander Childs High School together, and 
I have always known her to be a tremendous force for good in the 
neighborhood.
  Shirley was born and raised in the Lincoln Projects in Harlem. She is 
a product of the New York City public school system, including my alma 
maters, Hunter and Lehman Colleges. For 30 years, Shirley has lived in 
Co-op City and been actively involved in the management of the largest 
co-operative housing development in the world. She was elected and held 
a seat as a member and secretary of the Riverbay Board of Directors, 
which governs Co-op City, and served in those roles for more than 12 
years. Shirley has also been actively involved in other community and 
civic organizations, including the Parents Association for P.S. 153, 
for which she served as president; the Sister to Sister program; the 
local Boy and Girl Scouts chapters; the local little league programs; 
and is a founding mother of the Jack & Jill of America Bronx chapter. 
In fact, Shirley was such an integral part of the community, I had to 
make her a part of my Congressional Staff. She served as Senior Staff 
Assistant with me for over 20 years, and was extraordinary in that 
role.
  But for all of her incredible service to the public, it was always 
family that was Shirley's true passion. She has been married to her 
husband, Rod, for more than 40 years, and together they have three 
wonderful children and two beautiful grandchildren.
  This year, Shirley is celebrating her 69th birthday. On the occasion 
I want to thank her for years of friendship, and wish her nothing but 
the best.

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