[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 92 (Tuesday, June 5, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E770]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING LAURIE KRACKO

                                  _____
                                 

                          HON. ELIOT L. ENGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 5, 2018

  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor a pillar of the Anshe Sholom 
community, Ms. Laurie Kracko, who this year is being honored by the 
congregation for all she has accomplished.
  Laurie has been a life-long member of Congregation Anshe Sholom. Her 
grandparents, Selma & Erich Kracko became members in 1946. Her father 
Elliot was born into Anshe Sholom, and when he married Ellen in 1972, 
they continued their membership and have been involved ever since. 
Laurie grew up in New Rochelle and in Mamaroneck, went to Solomon 
Schechter grade school, and graduated from Scarsdale High School. She 
received her Bachelor's Degree in Business Communication from The 
University of Hartford in Connecticut.
  Right out of college, Laurie started working for her father in one of 
his businesses. After a few years, Laurie chose to work in the non-
profit world where she spent five years working at The National Jewish 
Council for Disabilities/Yachad, as office manager. In 2009, Laurie 
left Yachad to, once again, work in one of her father's businesses. In 
2010, Laurie opened her own business, City Sprint Safety and Supply. In 
just under three years of being in business, a competitor approached 
Laurie and her business partner with an offer to purchase City Sprint. 
They sold the business in the winter of 2012. In March of 2015, Laurie 
bought out her father's business partner in Modern Paint & Hardware 
Corp. and together, Elliot & Laurie formed The Modern Paint Group, 
where they went from one paint & hardware store to eight in a matter of 
90 days from April to July of 2015. This rapid growth turned Modern 
Paint into the second largest chain of paint stores in Westchester 
County.
  Over the years, Laurie has become more and more active in Anshe 
Sholom. She is involved in planning events, weekly Kiddush preparation, 
social media and weekly Shabbat announcements. She is on the Chesed 
committee, the Outreach Committee and much more. Laurie became a Board 
Member in 2015, and in 2016 became Secretary of the Board.
  In 2016, Laurie represented Congregation Anshe Sholom at the 
Westchester Jewish Council Leadership Development Program and has 
participated in many of their events and meetings on behalf of Anshe 
Sholom.
  As you can see, Laurie has done it all, and is most deserving of this 
warm recognition. Congratulations to her on this grand occasion.

                          ____________________