[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 20]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 28473-28474]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING MARY McLOUGHLIN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ELIOT L. ENGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 25, 2007

  Mr. ENGEL. Madam Speaker, a community is an aggregate of its 
residents, but its quality of life is determined by the dedication of 
those who devote themselves to the welfare of their community.
  Mary McLoughlin is such a person, and her dedication is the occasion 
for special recognition by the Kingsbridge Heights Community Center at 
a dinner honoring her tonight.
  She is a co-founder of that organization and is almost single-
handedly responsible for acquiring a community center. In 1972 she 
heard that the police precinct was leaving its building and she began a 
campaign to get the building for use by the community.
  Almost 3 years later, KHCC acquired the building and she, with 
Patricia Burns and Janet Athanasidy, cleaned the floors; and took out 
the debris as part of the extensive renovation needed.
  She envisioned a Center modeled after the great early New York 
settlement houses, providing educational, recreational and cultural 
activities for all community residents.
  In 1975 the Kingsbridge Heights Community Center opened its doors 
with a Teen Program as well as a Head Start Program. Mary McLoughlin's 
continuing dedication is evident as today the center provides a 
multitude of programs to individuals of all ages including: early 
childhood educational, health and nutrition services, after school 
recreation and literacy, College Prep and financial aid, services to 
individuals with developmental disabilities,

[[Page 28474]]

and civics classes, child sexual abuse treatment and prevention, parent 
and child advocacy, and case management services to prevent foster care 
placement, to cite a few.
  She is a mother of 8, but has spread her caring over the community, 
improving the lives of thousands. The KHCC as the largest employer in 
the community continues to address the needs of the changing community.
  She has been, and remains, a God-send to the Kingsbridge community. I 
sincerely thank her for all that she has done and continues to do for 
the people of this community. She is an inspiration to all.

                          ____________________