[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 9357]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




          IN RECOGNITION OF SISTER MARY PAUL JANCHILL, D.S.W.

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. NYDIA M. VELAZQUEZ

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 12, 2004

  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on the floor of the U.S. 
House of Representatives to recognize the achievements of Sister Mary 
Paul Janchill, D.S.W., a tireless advocate for the rights of children 
and families, and one of the cofounders of the Center for Family Life 
in Sunset Park, Brooklyn.
  For more than 50 years, Sister Mary Paul has been a pioneer and 
influential leader in child welfare. Sunset Park is a diverse, low-
income neighborhood in Brooklyn, and almost a third of the population 
there is under the age of 18. Sister Mary Paul, a long-time advocate 
and leader in the fight for the rights of children and families, took 
her passion and strength, and cofounded the Center for Family Life.
  Over the past 25 years, Sister Mary Paul has continued her work and 
dedication to meeting the needs of families that live in the 
financially distressed area of Sunset Park through her work at the 
center. She has continued the fight for low-income children and 
teenagers, especially those who are at risk of being swept into the 
social welfare system. The Center for Family Life offers services and 
advocacy to its clients, and already has two films, one of which 
received a 2003 Academy Award, that are based on its dedication and 
commitment to the community.
  Sister Mary Paul, among her endless positive contributions, helped to 
modify the evaluation processes used by child welfare agencies and the 
family court system. She encourages people to view troubled teens as 
works in progress. Sister Mary Paul truly changes lives--individuals 
who have completed their programs later find themselves in leadership 
positions throughout the community. Her work is priceless, and is 
constantly felt by the significant number of youth, and families, that 
she reaches out to each and everyday.
  Therefore, Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Sister Mary Paul 
Janchill, and join with my colleagues in the House of Representatives 
to recognize her extraordinary work in helping New York City's less 
privileged children and families.

                          ____________________