[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 84 (Tuesday, May 22, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E710]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                    IN RECOGNITION OF MARIE TORNIALI

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 22, 2018

  Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, in honor of Women's 
History Month, I am pleased to honor Marie Torniali, Chairperson of 
Queens Community Board 1 and a longtime activist in the Astoria/Long 
Island City community. I am delighted to recognize her remarkable 
contributions at a slightly belated event along with Assemblywoman 
Aravella Simotas. Marie has spent her life working to make our 
community a better place to live and work.
  Marie moved to Astoria in 1979, and fell in love with the 
neighborhood, a beautiful, welcoming, diverse community with wonderful 
parks, great organizations and world class restaurants. In 1986, Marie 
had a life-changing interview with Julie Wager, who was then head of 
the Central Astoria Local Development Corporation. She was interviewed 
for what was supposed to be a part time, temporary position. Thirty 
years later, she runs the place. Marie was fortunate to be mentored by 
Mr. Wager, who was a remarkable advocate for the community. He taught 
her that all things are possible with a little persistence and a lot of 
nudging.
  Early in her time at Central Astoria, Marie was part of the team that 
fought to create a business improvement district on Steinway Street, 
Astoria's central business strip. When the Steinway Street BID came 
into being in 1991, Marie became its Manager.
  In 2003, Marie was appointed the Executive Director of Central 
Astoria and the Steinway Astoria Partnership. In these positions, Marie 
has shown herself to be an outstanding organizer who has succeeded in 
providing more cultural programming and community development and who 
has fought to preserve affordable housing. She has also worked to 
expand the Independence Day celebration which has become a premier 
event in Queens under her leadership. She has worked to produce Movies 
on the Waterfront to complement the Waterfront Concert Series, the Dine 
Astoria Placemaking Initiative, Astoria's Holiday Tree Lighting, the 
Celebrate Astoria Cultural Fest and the Annual Spring Fling. Marie 
spearheaded the effort to restore the Steinway Landmarked Clock. She 
has created graffiti removal programs in Astoria's business districts 
and the Steinway Street Streetscape program. In addition, in order to 
assist seniors, she created the Senior One Stop Shop assistance 
program.
  In 2010, Marie joined Queens Community Board 1 and was elected its 
Chairperson in 2017. Through the community board, Marie has had an 
impact on issues related to land use, street fairs, liquor licenses, 
landmark preservation and a host of other issues.
  Marie is passionate about Astoria's uniqueness: its kaleidoscope of 
people; its small businesses and restaurants; its beautiful parks; its 
history and culture. Marie believes that her work to help Astoria 
thrive is made easier by the team spirit of her neighbors. Their civic-
mindedness encourages residents, business leaders, civic organizations 
and elected officials to work together--and Marie is convinced they 
have succeeded in making Astoria into the best neighborhood in New York 
City. I admire Marie's dedication, her passion, her delight in all the 
things that make Astoria a great place to live and work. She is one of 
the great sources of strength of the Astoria community.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the 
achievements of Marie Torniali, whose hard work, enthusiasm and true 
love for Astoria have helped this neighborhood flourish.

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