[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 20]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 28060]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    PAYING TRIBUTE TO EILEEN SWEENEY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 23, 2007

  Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise to ask my colleagues to take this 
time to remember the life of Eileen Marie Sweeney.
  Eileen Sweeney, a woman whose life, to a remarkable degree, embodied 
the reverie of the American dream, was a great woman of distinction 
which reflected her grand Irish heritage.
  Born on October 5, 1934, Eileen Sweeney was a long-time community 
activist who devoted many years to the betterment of Washington Heights 
and Inwood, For many years, she worked for New York State Assembly 
Members Edward H. Lehner and Herman D, Farrell, Jr., where she was 
diligent in resolving constituent issues. While in her office or out in 
the community, any project she took on merited her full and undivided 
attention.
  Eileen contributed her time and talents to countless civic and 
charitable endeavors and has always given of herself unstintingly. One 
of countless examples was her membership to Community Board 12 of 
Manhattan, where she served as a fierce housing and tenant advocate and 
protector of her beloved community.
  In 1976, she was called upon to serve as a Democratic District Leader 
for the 71st New York State Assembly District and also as a Delegate of 
the Democratic National Convention in which nominated then Presidential 
Candidate, President Jimmy Carter.
  As she passed away on January 31, 2006, such a benevolent 
amalgamation of intellect, steadfastness, and vigor as that 
demonstrated by Eileen Sweeney over a lifetime of sacrifice and 
dedication to others, will greatly be missed.
  This past weekend, on October 20th, 2007, Eileen was memorialized by 
those that loved and cherished her with the renaming of the Northwest 
comer of West 207th Street and Broadway in my district. It is our hope 
that this act will help preserve the memory of this remarkable woman, 
not only for the benefit of those who knew her but for all who value 
the promise of America.

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