[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 6650-6651]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING DR. AILEEN RIOTTO SIREY FOR HER SERVICE TO THE NATIONAL 
        ORGANIZATION OF ITALIAN AMERICAN WOMEN AND OUR COMMUNITY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 10, 2012

  Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, it is with my heartfelt thanks and 
appreciation that I rise today to join the many family, friends, and 
colleagues who have gathered to pay tribute to the invaluable 
contributions of my good friend, Dr. Aileen Riotto Sirey. After 
founding and leading the National Organization of Italian American 
Women for more than 30 years,

[[Page 6651]]

Aileen has decided to step down from the helm. She has led NOIAW with 
pride, integrity, honor and, most importantly, passion--molding it into 
the outstanding organization it is today.
  Aileen has one of the most unique personal stories I have ever come 
across. After receiving both her undergraduate and graduate degrees 
from Brooklyn College, she began teaching in Brooklyn. With the birth 
of her daughter, JoAnne, she left the workforce and spent the next five 
years as a full time mother. When she decided to go back to work, she 
joined Beth Israel Hospital as a community organizer and she was soon 
recruited by the Maternal Infant Care Project, a program within the New 
York City Health Department, to develop the first In-Hospital Family 
Planning Program. Under this program, community women were recruited, 
screened, and trained in peer counseling in birth control and were 
placed in 25 New York City Hospitals. Women talking to women about 
family planning--which at the time was still not commonplace--was an 
extraordinary effort. Aileen went on to work for two consulting firms 
in health services and later earned her doctorate in psychology and 
started her own practice. For most this would seem like a lifetime of 
work already completed--but not for Aileen.
  One of Aileen's greatest professional interests has been the effects 
of culture on values, attitudes, and behaviors. It was because of this 
interest that, more than 30 years ago, Aileen gathered a small group of 
Italian American women in her Upper West Side apartment. That meeting 
and their desire to assist other Italian American women and develop a 
nationwide network of women sharing a common ancestry sparked the 
formation of the National Organization of Italian American Women. 
Through their commitment to this effort, NOIAW members have developed a 
very successful scholarship and mentoring program and also offer a 
variety of educational and social programs. Today, NOIAW has a strong 
membership and is well-known as a resource for other Italian American 
women pursuing their own educational and professional aspirations. 
Throughout our nation's history, Italian Americans have played a 
pivotal role in the success and progress of America. The myriad of 
invaluable contributions that those of Italian ancestry have made to 
this nation are immeasurable. NOIAW celebrates these contributions and 
our rich ethnic history--it is Aileen's lasting legacy to our country 
and to all Italian-American families.
  I have had the distinct pleasure to work with Aileen on a variety of 
projects over the years. She is an extraordinary resource and her 
positive energy and enthusiasm is contagious. She instills an 
inspiration in others that does not quickly fade. I consider myself 
fortunate to call her my friend and would be remiss if I did not extend 
a special note of thanks to her for her many years of special 
friendship and support.
  More than anything else, Aileen's greatest pride is in her family. I 
am proud to join her husband, Charles, her daughter and son-in-law, 
JoAnne and Sol, and her granddaughters, Emma and Maia, as well as all 
of those who have gathered this evening in extending my very best 
wishes to Aileen Riotto Sirey as she celebrates her retirement. She has 
set an extraordinary example of service and dedication--it is a bar to 
which we should all strive.

                          ____________________