Showing posts with label Congressman Eliot Engel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Congressman Eliot Engel. Show all posts

Monday, April 20, 2015

SENATOR JEFF KLEIN, CONGRESSMAN ELIOT ENGEL, ASSEMBLYMAN JEFFREY DINOWITZ, COUNCILMAN ANDREW COHEN, LOCAL COMMUNITY MEMBERS CELEBRATE & HONOR LIFE OF BESS MYERSON



  Dedication Ceremony at Sholem Aleichem Houses Honors Legendary Bronxite

State Senator Jeff Klein , joined by Congressman Eliot Engel, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, Councilman Andrew Cohen, Community Board 8 Chair (and resident of the Sholem Aleichem Houses) Esther Nelson, and a bevy of local community members, friends and neighbors, celebrated and honored the life of legendary Bronxite Bess Myerson at the Sholem Aleichem Houses in Kingsbridge on Sunday, April 19th. Myerson, a historic figure in the Bronx, was named Miss America in 1945, served as New York City’s first commissioner of consumer affairs, and later as an adviser to presidents Lyndon B. Johnson, Gerald R. Ford and Jimmy Carter.

The dedication ceremony was held in the courtyard at the Sholem Aleichem houses where Senator Klein unveiled a Senate resolution commemorating Myerson’s life and work. Guests gathered together to both reflect on and pay tribute to Myerson’s legacy and leadership.

“Bess Myerson paved the way for countless women in New York and across the country, breaking down barriers and transcending government, politics, and pageantry by serving as not only the first Jewish Miss America, but the city’s first commissioner of consumer affairs.  Her life was a shining example of what one person can do to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others and she is sorely missed,” said Senator Jeff Klein. “Today, we celebrate Bess’ life and work -- acknowledging the immense contributions she has made to the Bronx and New York City.”
“Bess Myerson was a true trailblazer in everything she did.  From humble beginnings in the Bronx, Bess rose to incredible heights, and became among other things, a Miss America pageant winner and a political icon,” said Congressman Eliot Engel. “Bess’ life was a true Bronx success story, and she is most deserving of this honor and recognition.”   

Bess Myerson was born in 1924 in the Bronx. She grew up in the historic Sholem Aleichem Housing Cooperative, a working-class development in the northwest Bronx known for its Jewish roots and heavy population of artists, poets and musicians. Myerson attended the High School of Music and Art and then went on to study music at Hunter College, graduating with honors in 1945.

That same year, Myerson was named the first Jewish Miss America. Throughout her reign, she used her platform to combat anti-semitism and speak out against discrimination and prejudice. In 1969, Myerson was name New York City’s first commissioner of consumer affairs under Mayor John Lindsay. She later went on to serve as commissioner of cultural affairs, advise three presidents, and ran for U.S. Senate in 1980.

“Bess was a true friend and confidant. Her shining spirit, beauty, talent and intelligence  were an inspiration to us all and a constant reminder of how we could do better and make a difference in this world,” said Esther Nelson, long-time friend and neighbor of Bess Myerson. “Her grand presence, fiery spirit and authenticity are sorely missed.”

“I am proud to have grown up in the same apartment complex as Bess Myerson and her achievements offer inspiration to all from our community,” said Dan Padernacht, Chair of Community Board 8. “The close knit community in which Bess Myerson was raised still exists today.”



Above - Congressman Eliot Engel; Esther Nelson, Friend and Neighbor of Bess Myerson; Senator Jeff Klein; Councilman Andrew Cohen; Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz; Dan Padernacht, Chair of Community Board 8. (and resident of the Sholem Aleichem Houses).
Below - A close-up of the Bess Myerson plaque.


Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Congressman Engel and Assemblyman Dinowitz March in " Celebrate Isreal Parade"


 On Sunday June 3rd, Congressman Eliot Engel and Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz marched down Fifth Avenue with Students from the Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz in the "Celebrate Israel Parade".
Congressman Engel, Assemblyman Dinowitz, and students from the Kinneret Day School marching in the Celebrate Israel Parade. 
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Thursday, May 3, 2012

Ben Franklin 52nd Annual Dinner

  On Wednesday May 2nd the Benjamin Franklin Reform Democratic Club held its 52nd Annual Dinner. Club President Ellen Feld welcomed everybody, and Ms. Delores Dixon sang "God Bless America". The elected officials then came up beginning with Former NYC Comptroller Bill Thompson. See the photos below for the  elected officials in attendance.
  The Honorees were Ms. Marcia Allina (former State Committeewoman) receiving the "Jonathan B. Bingham Award" presented by 81st A.D. District Leader Bruce Feld. Ms. Lillian Roberts (Executive Director of DC37) receiving the "Labor Leadership Award" presented by 81st A.D. Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz. Mr. Dirk McCall (Director GMHC) receiving the "Timothy R. Sullivan Community Service Award" presented by Congressman Eliot Engel. Ms. Sarah Gund (Riverdale Neighborhood House) receiving the "Lee Heimlich Community Service Award" presented by Councilman G. Oliver Koppell.
  During the evening comments ranged from Congressman Charlie Rangel's "The way the state legislature drew the district lines it did not allow for input by the people", to Rangel's opponent Current State Senator Adriano Espaillat who thanked the Ben Franklin Club for helping elect him as a state senator, and hoping that they can help him be elected to congress. The best line of the night had to belong to Manhattan Borough President (and mayoral candidate in 2013) Scott Stringer, who said that he stayed for the entire press conference that City Council Speaker Christine Quinn walked out of last week. Below are photos of the dinner. Click on any photo to enlarge it.


Left- Ms. Marcia Allina receives the Jonathan B. Bingham Award from District Leader Bruce Feld.   Right- Ms. Lillian Roberts receives the Labor Leadership Award from Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz.


 Left Mr. Dirk McCall receives the Timothy R. Sullivan Award from Congressman Eliot Engel.  Right Councilman G. Oliver Koppell between his wife Lorraine Coyle Koppell (left) and CB 8 member Rita Pochter Lowe (right).


Left- Congressman Eliot Engel speaking to Congressman Charlie Rangel before the dinner started.  Right- State Senator (and Congressman Rangel's opponent)  Adriano Espaillat sitting with fellow State Senator Gustavo Rivera and staff members.


Left- Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. with Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz.  Right- Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz with CB 8 Traffic & Transportation Chair (and possible City Council candidate in 2013) Mr. Dan Padernacht.


Left Congressman Eliot Engel greets Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, as former District Leader Mr. Michael Heller looks on.   Right State Senator Jeff Klein poses for the photo with Manhattan Borough President Stringer, both are former colleagues in the State Assembly.

New York City Comptroller John Liu and Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer (Both probable 2013 candidates for mayor) pose for photo.

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