[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 24032]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




         HONORING THE KIWANIS CLUB OF ASTORIA--LONG ISLAND CITY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 3, 2008

  Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Madam Speaker, it is my pleasure to pay 
tribute to the Kiwanis of Astoria--Long Island City for its outstanding 
work in supporting philanthropic and community organizations serving 
the people of western Queens.
  This year, the Kiwanis Club named as its Man of the Year Panagiotis 
Manolas, M.D., Chief of Surgery at Mount Sinai Hospital of Queens. Born 
and educated in Greece, Dr. Manolas immigrated to America to complete 
his studies. Certified by the American Board of Surgery, he has 
developed a highly successful multi-specialty practice in general, 
breast and laparoscopic surgery. Named a ``New York Super Doctor'' and 
one of the ``Best Doctors in New York'', he is devoted to his patients, 
often providing his services pro bono or on a sliding scale.
  The Kiwanis Club is naming as its Women of the Year several deserving 
honorees. These include: Rose Anne Alafogiannis, past president of the 
Kiwanis Club and member of Queens Community Board #1, the Astoria Civic 
Association, SHAREing & CAREing, and a Lector for the Immaculate 
Conception parish;
  Donna Furey, an Astoria native, Kiwanis Club member, and attorney 
specializing in elder law who who serves as a member of the board of 
St. John's University School of Law Alumni Association and the Queens 
County Women's Bar Association and who has dedicated herself to helping 
local seniors;
  Roberta Gualtieri, a life-long Astoria resident who has served 
countless hours as a volunteer at the Steinway Senior Center, the 
Kiwanis Club, the 114th Police Precinct, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Roman 
Catholic Church, St. John's Hospital emergency room, and with literacy 
programs for underprivileged youth;
  Laura Jean Hawkins, a longtime community activist and lecturer who 
served for many years as Chief of Staff to former Assemblyman Denis 
Butler and advocate for non-profit groups like SHAREing & CAREing, a 
breast and ovarian cancer support group;
  Teresa Jarnich, a member of the Kiwanis Club of Astoria--Long Island 
City and a volunteer with its Christmas Auction and Anti-Crime 
programs;
  Christine Lolas, an Athens native who immigrated to the U.S. to 
launch her career in the banking industry. She is active in the Kiwanis 
Club, the 30th Avenue Business Association, and serves on the Advisory 
Board of SHAREing & CAREing;
  Anna Kril, the founder of SHAREing & CAREing, Inc. She serves on the 
Board of Directors of the New York City Health & Hospitals Corporation, 
on the Executive Board of the Community Advisory Board of Elmhurst 
Hospital Center, as Chairperson of the Health Committee of Queens 
Community Board #1 in Queens, and as a member of the Kiwanis Club;
  Vera Martucci, who, although widowed at an early age, still devoted 
herself to serving others by volunteering to assist immigrants through 
the International Ladies Garment Workers Union and at St. John's 
Hospital's emergency department, the Steinway Senior Center, and P.S. 7 
and P.S. 126;
  Charlene Perno, a Registered Nurse who serves on the Board of 
SHAREing & CAREing, as coordinator of New York Hospital of Queens' 
health fair, and who provides health education to local high schools;
  Linda Ann Vinci-Perno, an Astoria native who has volunteered for the 
Boy's Club of Queens, Ladies Auxiliary, President of St. Margaret Mary 
Rosary Society, and the Long Island chapter of Cancer Care; and
  Eartha Washington, who serves as Chair of the Board of Elmhurst 
Hospital and is active with the New York City Department for the Aging 
Advisory Board, SHAREing & CAREing, the Kiwanis Club, and the Astoria 
Civic Association.
  I ask that my distinguished colleagues join me in paying tribute to 
these outstanding individuals for their extraordinary commitment to 
serving others.

                          ____________________