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“HONORING ARMAND D'AMATO, SR.” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Commerce was published in the Senate section on pages S4130 on May 7, 1997.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
HONORING ARMAND D'AMATO, SR.
Mr. D'AMATO. Mr. President, I rise to pay tribute to my father, Mr. Armand D'Amato, Sr. of Island Park, NY. He is being honored on May 8, 1997 for his role as the founder of the Island Park Chamber of Commerce, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this month. I would like to take this opportunity to commend my father for his lifelong commitment to making his community a richer, more prosperous and safer place to live.
One of Armand D'Amato's most im-portant and lasting contributions to his community was the founding of the Island Park Chamber of Commerce in 1947. The chamber was, and remains today, a vital tool in developing the economic potential of Island Park. As a small businessman and the first president of the chamber of commerce, serving in that position for 9 years, dad recognized that economic prosperity should not be taken for granted and that only through vigilance and hard work is a community's economic well-being safeguarded.
Armand D'Amato was born in Newark, NJ, the second of nine children born to Italian immigrants who traveled to America from Avalino, Italy while still teenagers. As a child, he rarely heard English spoken in his home. It was not until he attended elementary school at the age of 5 that he began to learn English. At a time when Italian immigrants in America were subjected to unfair discrimination, the obstacles dad encountered as a child taught him valuable lessons about the realities and hardships of life, and instilled in him a determination to succeed.
After earning his bachelor's degree from Montclair State Teachers College and his master's from New York University, Dad served his country overseas during World War II. He and my mother, Antoinette, settled in Island Park in 1945. Since that time, he has been energetically involved in the public life of Island Park.
Armand D'Amato's dedication to his community did not stop with the founding of the Island Park Chamber of Commerce. He was also instrumental in founding the American Alliance to Combat Crime and Violence, an organization sponsored by the Island Park Chamber of Commerce dedicated to making Island Park a safer place to live and raise a family. He also founded the Island Park Taxpayer Association in 1953, the Tri-Community Council of Island Park in 1954 and served as district governor of the Nassau County Lion's Club in 1963.
During the 1970's and 1980's, dad served as director of business research at the nassau County Department of Commerce and Industry and organized the Business Resource Center at Nassau Community College.
My father's vigorous commitment to public service and the values he has instilled in his family are reflected by the career paths chosen by his two sons. My brother, Armand D'Amato, Jr., served in the New York State Assembly for fourteen years. And my own career in public service was certainly inspired by his active involvement in the community.
Armand D'Amato has worked his entire life to make Island Park a better place to live. His dedication and commitment to the concept of community service has had an immeasurable impact on the lives of the citizens of Island Park. My father personifies the spirit of community leadership to which others should aspire, and I am proud to join in honoring him.
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