[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 8]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 10989]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  IN HONOR OF THE MILE SQUARE DAY CARE CENTER ON ITS 25TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROBERT MENENDEZ

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 20, 2004

  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Mile Square Day 
Care Center in celebration of its 25th anniversary. The Mile Square Day 
Care Center will celebrate with a 25th Anniversary Celebration 
Reception on Thursday, May 20, 2004, at The Lighthouse in West New 
York, New Jersey.
  In 1977, a group of dedicated community minded people, with the help 
and guidance of Mayor Steve Cappiello, established a not-for-profit 
corporation to develop and run programs for young children. And through 
the hard work of the original board of directors, Hugh Kilmer, James 
Monaco, Dr. Frank Colon, Dr. Gerard Costa; and Charles A. Tortorella, 
the Mile Square Day Care Center was established in 1979.
  In order to maintain the balance of community and parent involvement, 
the board of directors, since its inception, has consisted of an equal 
number of community members and parents. The original board of 
directors developed an environment that was nurturing and loving to the 
children. With the wide range of social, economic, and cultural groups, 
the activities in the Mile Square Day Care Center represented and 
continue to represent the diversity of its children and the city.
  For twenty-five years, the Mile Square Day Care Center has touched 
the lives of over 3,000 families, providing the first preschool program 
in the City of Hoboken. Established in 1982 by former Executive 
Director Rosemary Fuocco, the Mile Square Day Care Center also began 
providing infant and toddler care for children ages three months to 
three years, and continues to provide preschool service for children 
three to five years of age. With a curriculum established with a hands-
on approach, each child is given the opportunity to reach his or her 
intellectual and social potential.
  Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the community 
leaders and dedicated parents, past and present, of the Mile Square Day 
Care Center, in recognition of their outstanding contributions and 
dedication to our children over the last twenty-five years.

                          ____________________