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“ROB WALSH HONORED FOR EXTRAORDINARY COMMUNITY SERVICE” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Transportation was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E1061 on May 17, 1995.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
ROB WALSH HONORED FOR EXTRAORDINARY COMMUNITY SERVICE
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HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY
of new york
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, May 17, 1995
Mr. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring to the attention of my colleagues the efforts of an extraordinary individual who lives and works in my district, Rob Walsh.
Mr. Speaker, too often, the stories of those who make a difference in their communities are drowned out by the tragedies which split our community. Pick up any newspaper on any given day. Headlines will scream of the latest crime; columnists will lament the many foibles of our society. The quieter success stories largely go unreported, unremarked upon.
I believe it is critically important that we do a better job of telling the success stories, that we do a better job of being role models for our Nation's youth. I therefore take the House floor today to recognize the efforts of a man who has done so much for so many. I would also like to say that I am extremely pleased that Rob Walsh will be receiving the prestigious Annual Cancer Care Community Service Award this Sunday.
Before I go into Bob's many achievements, I want to take a moment to congratulate Cancer Care for its dedication to providing free and comprehensive clinical services, education, and financial assistance to patients and their families at any stage of illness. Cancer Care works cooperatively and effectively with the many hospitals and health institutions in my district and New York in general, to provide critical services to those who are most in need. I cannot say enough about the compassion and commitment of Cancer Care to its mission.
I also want to commend Cancer Care on their judgment. Each year, Cancer Care bestows it's Community Service Award to someone who makes significant contributions to the community. This year's recipient will surprise no one who has spent any time over the past 5 years in the 14th Street-Union Square area.
In 1989 Rob Walsh became the executive director of the 14th Street-
Union Square Local Development Corp. and business improvement district. Rob came prepared.
Rob's service in New York City government had been as varied as it was successful. In fact, it seemed that there was no bureau of government which had not benefitted from Rob's considerable energies. He had served in the mayor's office of operations as a voter assistance coordinator, the transportation department, the parks department the personnel department, and the general services department. In addition, Rob has a master's degree in public affairs from Fordham University, where he also relieved his undergraduate degree.
Since taking the helm of the 14th Street-Union Square LDC/BID, Rob has overseen unprecedented efforts to revitalize a community which has fallen on hard times. During the 1980's, 14th Street had become a drug infested areas, people by prostitutes, and covered with graffiti. Union Square, once one of New York's greatest public spaces, was now best known
for its nickname ``Needle Park.''
Rob Walsh, thankfully, is not a man who shrinks from a challenge. With his remarkable energy, intelligence, and can-do attitude, Rob has led the efforts to turn the neighborhood around. Stop by Union Square on a sunny spring day and you will see the difference.
New businesses move into this thriving neighborhood every day. Children and workers on their lunch break pack into beautiful and accessible Union Square. Stuyvesant Square Park is now the kind of well maintained open space that every member of the community can enjoy. The streets are cleaner and safer and there exists the kind of communitywide pride which is so characteristic of the best neighborhoods of New York and any city.
As Rob will be the first to say, this turnaround was the product of efforts by hundreds and thousands of caring members of the community. But I am not sure it could have happened without Rob's leadership. As the ``Mayor of Union Square,'' Rob has directed the efforts, and led the battle at the front lines. He can always be found, walking the streets, checking on his latest brainstorms.
There is, of course, much work left to be done. But Rob's commitment to the values which make this community great--affordable housing, opportunities for our kids, safe streets, and economic growth--will certainly guide his future efforts in the right direction.
I should also point out that Rob also volunteers his time to a number of important groups in our city including New York Cares, the Vanderbilt YMCA, Beth Israel Medical Center community advisory council, Cabrini Medical Center advisory council, NYC Urban Fellows advisory board, Washington Irving High School business advisory council, and the mayor's Voluntary Action Center. And with all of his efforts, Rob remains a devoted husband to his lovely Terry and is a doting father to his beautiful daughter Cara, perhaps the most important job of all.
Mr. Speaker, I am grateful to Cancer Care for giving me this opportunity to tell a true New York success story. Rob Walsh deserves our most sincere thanks for all of his efforts on behalf of his community, and I hope that all of my colleagues will join me in congratulating him at this time.
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