[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 57 (Thursday, March 26, 2026)]
[House]
[Page H2717]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      RECOGNIZING CO-OP CITY NAACP

  (Mr. Latimer of New York was recognized to address the House for 5 
minutes.)
  Mr. LATIMER. Madam Speaker, let me recognize the outstanding work of 
the Co-op City branch of the NAACP for its many contributions to the 
life of African Americans in their area.
  The branch is ably led by president Leslie Peterson, and she is aided 
by Tracy Edwards, Brenda Brown, and Anika Green-Watson and has been 
connected and involved in numerous programs in their community.
  The branch meets on the fourth Sunday of each month in their offices 
in the Einstein, room 36, with interesting programs and speakers.
  The branch has also hosted and sponsored major events during 
February's Black History Month, the January celebration of the life of 
the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King and in June for Juneteenth.
  The group joins other NAACP branches, notably the next-door 
Williamsbridge NAACP, for events like Know Your Rights seminars. Their 
advocacy of national NAACP legislative priorities bring them to lobby 
their elected officials on matters promoting education, healthcare, and 
antidiscrimination policies.
  From the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, I salute the Co-
op City branch of the NAACP for their persistence and their moral 
leadership at a time when it is needed the most.


       Saluting Senior Citizen Council of Tuckahoe and Bronxville

  Mr. LATIMER. Madam Speaker, I rise to salute the outstanding work of 
the Senior Citizen Council of Tuckahoe and Bronxville and the services 
that they provide to address the issues of isolation and loneliness to 
seniors in both villages.
  Their programs include a host of different activities, social and 
recreational programs, health and wellness, arts and crafts, musical 
programs, guest lectures, luncheons, and day trips.
  The council is led by chair Eleanor Gustavson, along with Sarah 
Belair, Maryann Dennen, Barbara McGraw, Jean Murrer, and a host of 
other active board members.
  The weekly senior programs are offered at both the Father Fata Hall 
in Tuckahoe and the Reformed Church of Bronxville. They are sponsored 
and supervised by Tuckahoe senior director Michelle Oliva and 
Bronxville senior director Lisa McGovern.
  The council is also helped by a community advisory board of prominent 
Tuckahoe and Bronxville leaders who give assistance and counsel to the 
council.

  From the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, I salute the 
Senior Citizen Council of Tuckahoe and Bronxville and will tell both of 
those senior groups I will be stopping by sometime soon with the 
cookies.


                              Staff Salute

  Mr. LATIMER. Madam Speaker, every freshman member comes into this 
institution with much to learn, and it is impossible to do that and 
function every day to represent the people of your district without the 
help of a committed, talented staff.
  Let me publicly express my gratitude for the hard work of the staff 
that I have had the pleasure of working with in this first term: chief 
of staff, Rich Orsillo; senior adviser on policy, Rob Hoch. My D.C. 
team is led by Jessica Merritt, deputy chief of staff and legislative 
director; along with Ryan Reed; Sidd Gannu; Jeremy Hoffner; Samantha 
Kirschner; and Ellie Lockhart. My Westchester team is led by Ellen 
Hendrickx, the district director; Michelle Gewanter, Edili Espaillat, 
Daphney Sintyl, Tara Conte, and Chanah Haigh. My Bronx team is led by 
Tremaine O'Garro, Bronx director, and Kelly Saunders. I owe a debt of 
gratitude to each and every one of them.

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