congressional_record: CREC-2000-12-15-pt1-PgE2189-5
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| granule_id | date | congress | session | volume | issue | title | chamber | granule_class | sub_granule_class | page_start | page_end | speakers | bills | citation | full_text |
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| CREC-2000-12-15-pt1-PgE2189-5 | 2000-12-15 | 106 | 2 | TRIBUTE TO MARIA MAGDA O'KEEFE | HOUSE | EXTENSIONS | TRIBUTETO | E2189 | E2190 | [{"name": "Bill Pascrell, Jr.", "role": "speaking"}] | 146 Cong. Rec. E2189 | Congressional Record, Volume 146 Issue 155 (Friday, December 15, 2000) [Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 155 (Friday, December 15, 2000)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E2189-E2190] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] TRIBUTE TO MARIA MAGDA O'KEEFE ______ HON. BILL PASCRELL, JR. of new jersey in the house of representatives Friday, December 15, 2000 Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I would like to call to your attention the deeds of a person I am proud to call my friend, Maria Magda O'Keefe of Paterson, New Jersey, who was recognized on Thursday, November 9, 2000 on the occasion of the 25th Anniversary of the Hispanic Multi Purpose Service Center. It is only appropriate that she be honored as she retires from the Paterson City Council, for she has a long history of caring, generosity and commitment to others. Maria was recognized for her many years of leadership in Paterson, which I have been honored to represent in Congress since 1997, and so it is only fitting that these words are immortalized in the annals of this greatest of all freely elected bodies. Councilwoman Magda has a varied educational background and has studied in a multitude of fields. The State of New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety, Division of Consumer Affairs certified her as a Social Worker. Also, the National Association of Forensic Counselors certified her to be a Domestic Violence Counselor. In addition, she is a Registered Nurse having earned her diploma at the Hospital de Damas in San German, Puerto Rico. She is a graduate of Central High School in Santurce, Puerto Rico. Also, she studied Health Education at Columbia University in New York and Cosmetology at the Master Headdresser Academy in Passaic, New Jersey. Maria has always been an active and involved leader. One of her most important accomplishments was her founding of the Hispanic Multi Purpose Service Center (HMPSC) in Paterson. She is currently the Executive Director of the center. The HMPSC is a highly [[Page E2190]] respected agency that provides free social, educational and recreation services to the residents of Paterson and Passaic County. This remarkable woman is a trailblazer for Latino elected officials in Passaic County. In her political career she has set many important milestones. In 1989, she became the first Hispanic Woman to be elected as the President of the Paterson City Council. Her vision and leadership has made it easier for all Hispanic Americans to seek and win elected office. On the Council and in her daily life Maria remained devoted to the City of Paterson and the Hispanic community. She has served as Deputy Mayor of the city, as well as the Administrator of the Mayor's Office Division of Planning. In addition, she was a coordinator of the city's service programs for the Hispanic community and the nutritional programs for the city's Hispanic senior citizens. Known for a questioning mind and an ability to get things done, Councilwoman Magda has served her community in a variety of positions. She was the Commissioner of the Board of Social Services and the Board of Health in Paterson. She was also a member of the Board of St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center in Paterson. She has served as a liaison between the Paterson City Hall and the community at-large. She was a member of Women in Government, the Paterson Chamber of Commerce, the Columbia University Health Panel and the Boy Scouts of America Board of Directors. In addition, she has served as Chairperson of the Paterson Great Falls Committee, and in 1976, she was the President of the Puerto Rican Parade. Councilwoman Magda continually touches the lives of the people around her. She has received a myriad of awards including recognition from the United States Department of Defense, the Irish Culture Society, the New Jersey State Assembly and the Italiana Society. Maria Magda O'Keefe was born on July 22, 1938. She has three siblings. Maria has two wonderful children Debra Ann Martinez and John Mitchell Morales. She has four grandchildren and one great granddaughter. Mr. Speaker, as a former mayor of Paterson that has worked with Maria for many years, I can say that I can think of no elected official who works harder or cares more about her constituents. Perhaps the greatest tribute to her is the unwavering faith of the voters of Paterson. They have demonstrated this by electing her time and again to her position. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join our colleagues, Maria's family and friends, the City of Paterson, the State of New Jersey and me in recognizing the outstanding and invaluable service to the community of Maria Magda O'Keefe. ____________________ |