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“SALUTE TO VERNA SMALL” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Labor was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E1382-E1383 on July 20, 2001.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
SALUTE TO VERNA SMALL
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HON. JERROLD NADLER
of new york
in the house of representatives
Thursday, July 19, 2001
Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to laud the incredible and enduring community activism of Verna Small. Verna has been active in the Greenwich Village community of New York City for over half a century, however she got her start right here in Washington, D.C. A 1937 graduate of George Washington University, Verna soon began working for the United States Department of Labor, which took her on assignments all across this nation. Thankfully for us New Yorkers she landed in the heart of New York City, Greenwich Village, and immediately made it her home.
During her early years in the nation's Capital, Verna grew to love the Potomac River and other waterways, a love that would signal a passion that would last a lifetime. In New York, Verna recognized the beauty and splendor of the Hudson River and its vital relationship to Greenwich Village. She decided to make it part of her life's work to preserve this relationship and save the history of this neighborhood from disappearing at the hands of developers. Throughout the 1960's Verna, along with her comrade in arms Ruth Wittenberg, spearheaded an epic movement that culminated in the astounding creation of the New York City Landmarks Law in 1965 and the designation of the Greenwich Village Historic District in 1969, which remains today the city's largest historic district. Throughout this time Verna founded organizations that stand today to fight for the preservation of our city's neighborhoods, including the Association of Village Homeowners, the Historic Districts Council, the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation, and the Federation to Preserve the Greenwich Village Waterfront & Great Port, Inc.
In 1964 Verna became a member of Manhattan Community Board 2. During her nearly forty-year tenure on the Community Board, she served as Chair of the Landmarks Committee for ten of those years. In 1994 she received the Elliot Willinsky Award from New York City's Landmarks Preservation Commission. Even today, Verna is fighting hard to preserve the history of the Village during the creation of the Hudson River Park.
Amidst all of her community activism, Verna led a full life as a wife, a mother, editor and author. She is truly a dynamic woman who has had a profound impact on those she has touched.
Mr. Speaker, I salute Verna Small and all of her accomplishments. I am happy to know her and am in constant awe of her passion and fortitude. It is my hope that she will continue to fight for what she believes in for a long time to come.
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