[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 12709]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  IN RECOGNITION OF THE VILLAGE REFORM DEMOCRATIC CLUB ON THEIR 20TH 
                             ANNUAL DINNER

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 20, 2003

  Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the Village 
Reform Democratic Club on the occasion of their 20th annual dinner. For 
over 20 years, the Village Reform Democratic Club has led its 
neighborhood in addressing and resolving important political and 
community issues.
  As is their custom the Village Reform Democratic Club will honor 
community leaders at their dinner. This year the honorees will be the 
Caring Community for 30 years of service to the elderly, as well as 
Saul Fishman and Barry Benepe, two men who in their own ways have 
helped shape the cultural and social fabric of New York City.
  For more than 30 years, professionals and volunteers at the Caring 
Community have helped and empowered seniors within our community, 
offering a broad array of programs and services, including the home 
delivery of over 50,000 hot meals, assistance with shopping and home 
repairs and assistance to seniors who are crime victims.
  Most importantly Caring Community operates four centers for older 
adults. These four centers, at Our Lady of Pompeii Church, Independence 
Plaza, The First Presbyterian Church and Center on the Square, are open 
Monday to Friday from 9 to 5. These centers offer a wide variety of 
programs for seniors as well as a place where seniors can enjoy a hot 
meal.
  One center is located at Independence Plaza, a neighbor to the World 
Trade Center. The seniors in Independence Plaza were displaced from 
their homes for weeks or longer. Without the crucial assistance 
provided by the Caring Community, many of these seniors would have been 
unable to deal with the psychological impact of 9/11 and might never 
have returned to their homes.
  In this time, when government is reducing spending on all services, 
and charitable giving, especially by corporations has been severely 
curtailed, along with the Village Reform Democratic Club I am proud to 
recognize all those who contribute their time and resources to the work 
of the Caring Center.
  Saul Fishman is a pioneer in the fight for domestic partnership for 
gay and lesbian couples. Beginning in 1987, Saul served as spokesman 
for the Coalition for Lesbian and Gays Rights and later as the chair of 
the Family Diversity Coalition and as a member of the Mayor's Partner 
Task Force.
  As an activist in the Civil Service Bar Association, the union 
representing attorneys employed by New York City, Saul persuaded the 
union to become the first to offer domestic partner benefits to its 
members. Saul later convinced the municipal unions to demand that the 
City of New York grant bereavement leave to any City employee who lost 
a domestic partner. In a dramatic confrontation with then Mayor Koch, 
Saul got the mayor to accept the provision.
  Having secured significant protections for the domestic partners of 
New York City employees, Saul turned to the wider issue of domestic 
partnership law to protect all New Yorkers. After I agreed to sponsor 
the bill in the City Council, Saul lobbied other members to be 
cosponsors and supporters. Passage of that first domestic partnership 
bill was hailed as an unparalleled victory for the gay and lesbian 
community. It is a testament to Saul Fishman's unending energy and 
unwavering belief that all people should have equal protection under 
the law.
  In 1976 Barry Benepe had the idea of bringing fresh produce directly 
to the people of New York City, and with that the Green Market was 
born. Starting with three sites and few local farmers, over the past 
2\1/2\ decades the Green Market has expanded to 18 locations bringing 
over 150 farmers from 4 states.
  Consumers appreciate the fresh alternatives offered by the Green 
Market, while many environmentalists commend the transportation and 
environmental benefits of locally grown foods. For this Barry was 
awarded a Special Citation by the New York Chapter of the American 
Institute of Architects. He also received a Municipal Art Society's 
Certificate of Merit as well as a National Recognition Award from the 
America the Beautiful Fund.
  It is members like Saul Fishman and Barry Benepe that have made the 
Village Reform Democratic Club a force for social change in New York 
City.
  In recognition of these outstanding contributions, I ask my 
colleagues to join me in honoring the Caring Community, Saul Fishman, 
Barry Benepe and Village Reform Democratic Club on the occasion of 
their 20th annual dinner.

                          ____________________