[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 15]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 21402]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       IN HONOR OF CARMEN VALENTI

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROBERT MENENDEZ

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 4, 2003

  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Carmen Valenti for 
his years of dedication and service to the citizens of New Jersey as a 
tireless housing advocate. He was honored on August 20, 2003 at a 
luncheon at Don Pepe Restaurant in Newark, New Jersey.
  As the Director of the New Jersey Office of Public Housing for the 
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the last twelve 
years, Mr. Valenti has worked relentlessly to implement public housing 
programs, and has fought for adequate and affordable housing for New 
Jersey residents across the state.
  Mr. Valenti first came to New Jersey in 1973, where he began working 
with the Somerset Department of Planning. In 1978 he began working as a 
planner for HUD in the Newark's Community Development Office and served 
in that capacity for thirteen years until becoming Director in 1991.
  Originally from Utica, New York, Mr. Valenti earned his bachelor's 
degree in History and Sociology from Concord College in West Virginia, 
and his master's degree in Public Administration from Golden Gate 
University in San Francisco. He also holds a master's degree in Urban 
Planning from New York University.
  From 1969 to 1973, Mr. Valenti served in the intelligence division of 
the United States Air Force. He earned the rank of staff Sergeant and 
was honorably discharged in 1973.
  A true public servant, Mr. Valenti's efforts to provide better 
housing for New Jersey residents have improved the lives of many across 
the state. Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Carmen 
Valenti for his tireless advocacy and dedication to serving the public.

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