[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 4]
[Senate]
[Page 4613]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO DEANNA LONDON

  (By request of Mr. Reid, the following statement was ordered to be 
printed in the Record:)
 Mr. LAUTENBERG. Mr. President, today I wish to pay tribute to 
one of New Jersey's great local leaders: Deanna London.
  At the end of this month, Ms. London will end a remarkable 25-year 
tenure at the Human Needs Food Pantry in Montclair, NJ, a period that 
saw her rise from volunteer to executive director. On any typical day, 
she can be found meeting with families and individuals who have come 
for a meal, courting community members for support, and overseeing the 
large operation she has helped to expand. No job is too small for her 
to tackle and no person unworthy of help.
  When she first walked into the Human Needs Food Pantry in Montclair 
2\1/2\ decades ago, Ms. London was just looking for a volunteer 
opportunity, restless and eager for the chance to ``communicate with 
people,'' as she said in a recent interview. Yet, as a volunteer 
opportunity turned into a quarter century and an executive 
directorship, London built a legacy that should inspire every American 
to serve. And in explaining that, ``I always thought that I got more 
out of it, because there is something fabulous to being able to help 
somebody,'' London has offered a model of service that all Americans 
should aspire to emulate.
  Her dedication to her fellow New Jerseyans and the compassion she has 
shown for her neighbors in need is an inspiring example of an American 
putting everything aside to do all she can for others. It is what 
America is all about--that we are all in this together.
  I know that when Deanna London hands over the reins to former Tenafly 
police chief Michael Bruno, the pantry will be in good hands. And I 
also know that when she leaves in just a few weeks, her service to New 
Jersey and this country will only continue.
  New Jersey is a stronger State because of residents like Deanna 
London, and I wish her my very best as she completes one chapter of her 
life and begins another.

                          ____________________