[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 18]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 27258-27259]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                     TRIBUTE TO MARIA MAGDA O'KEEFE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BILL PASCRELL, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, December 15, 2000

  Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I would like to call to your attention the 
deeds of a person I am proud to call my friend, Maria Magda O'Keefe of 
Paterson, New Jersey, who was recognized on Thursday, November 9, 2000 
on the occasion of the 25th Anniversary of the Hispanic Multi Purpose 
Service Center. It is only appropriate that she be honored as she 
retires from the Paterson City Council, for she has a long history of 
caring, generosity and commitment to others.
  Maria was recognized for her many years of leadership in Paterson, 
which I have been honored to represent in Congress since 1997, and so 
it is only fitting that these words are immortalized in the annals of 
this greatest of all freely elected bodies.
  Councilwoman Magda has a varied educational background and has 
studied in a multitude of fields. The State of New Jersey Department of 
Law and Public Safety, Division of Consumer Affairs certified her as a 
Social Worker. Also, the National Association of Forensic Counselors 
certified her to be a Domestic Violence Counselor. In addition, she is 
a Registered Nurse having earned her diploma

[[Page 27259]]

at the Hospital de Damas in San German, Puerto Rico. She is a graduate 
of Central High School in Santurce, Puerto Rico. Also, she studied 
Health Education at Columbia University in New York and Cosmetology at 
the Master Headdresser Academy in Passaic, New Jersey.
  Maria has always been an active and involved leader. One of her most 
important accomplishments was her founding of the Hispanic Multi 
Purpose Service Center (HMPSC) in Paterson. She is currently the 
Executive Director of the center. The HMPSC is a highly respected 
agency that provides free social, educational and recreation services 
to the residents of Paterson and Passaic County.
  This remarkable woman is a trailblazer for Latino elected officials 
in Passaic County. In her political career she has set many important 
milestones. In 1989, she became the first Hispanic Woman to be elected 
as the President of the Paterson City Council. Her vision and 
leadership has made it easier for all Hispanic Americans to seek and 
win elected office.
  On the Council and in her daily life Maria remained devoted to the 
City of Paterson and the Hispanic community. She has served as Deputy 
Mayor of the city, as well as the Administrator of the Mayor's Office 
Division of Planning. In addition, she was a coordinator of the city's 
service programs for the Hispanic community and the nutritional 
programs for the city's Hispanic senior citizens.
  Known for a questioning mind and an ability to get things done, 
Councilwoman Magda has served her community in a variety of positions. 
She was the Commissioner of the Board of Social Services and the Board 
of Health in Paterson. She was also a member of the Board of St. 
Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center in Paterson. She has served as a 
liaison between the Paterson City Hall and the community at-large. She 
was a member of Women in Government, the Paterson Chamber of Commerce, 
the Columbia University Health Panel and the Boy Scouts of America 
Board of Directors. In addition, she has served as Chairperson of the 
Paterson Great Falls Committee, and in 1976, she was the President of 
the Puerto Rican Parade.
  Councilwoman Magda continually touches the lives of the people around 
her. She has received a myriad of awards including recognition from the 
United States Department of Defense, the Irish Culture Society, the New 
Jersey State Assembly and the Italiana Society.
  Maria Magda O'Keefe was born on July 22, 1938. She has three 
siblings. Maria has two wonderful children Debra Ann Martinez and John 
Mitchell Morales. She has four grandchildren and one great 
granddaughter.
  Mr. Speaker, as a former mayor of Paterson that has worked with Maria 
for many years, I can say that I can think of no elected official who 
works harder or cares more about her constituents. Perhaps the greatest 
tribute to her is the unwavering faith of the voters of Paterson. They 
have demonstrated this by electing her time and again to her position.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join our colleagues, Maria's family and 
friends, the City of Paterson, the State of New Jersey and me in 
recognizing the outstanding and invaluable service to the community of 
Maria Magda O'Keefe.

                          ____________________