Ms. Aurelia Greene

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Ms. Aurelia Greene

TRIBUTE TO MS. AURELIA GREENE

______

HON. JOSE E. SERRANO

of new york

in the house of representatives

Tuesday, February 14, 2006

Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise during this month dedicated to the celebration of African Americans who have made great contributions to the world, to pay tribute to New York Assemblywoman Aurelia Greene. Aurelia is a dedicated public servant who has worked tirelessly to uplift and empower her constituents.

A native of the Bronx, Aurelia is a graduate of Livingston College at Rutgers University, where she majored in community development. For the past 24 years she has served as Assemblywoman for the 77th Assembly District, effectively using her urban planning skills to negotiate on behalf of her constituents for affordable housing, quality education, employment opportunities, affordable healthcare, senior services, and improved transportation and infrastructure.

As a member of the State Assembly, Aurelia is known for her strong work ethic and robust legislative agenda. She authored legislation, which became law in 2002, prohibiting predatory lending practices in relation to high cost home loans. In addition, she was instrumental in ensuring the passage of the Apprenticeship bill, which provided funds for supplemental and related instruction to apprentices registered by the New York State Department of Labor. And in 1994, she was awarded a gold helmet by the New York State Head Injury Association for her bicycle helmet legislation.

As a result of her competence as a legislator and considerable personal charm, Aurelia has been successful in rising through the ranks of the New York State Assembly. She previously served as Deputy Majority Leader and is the first woman to chair the Assembly Standing Committee on Banks. In addition, she recently became the first African American to serve as Speaker Pro Tempore in the State Assembly.

Mr. Speaker, earlier this week we said a final goodbye to Mrs. Coretta Scott King, a woman of great resolve and patience, who helped to change the world. Today we honor a woman who stands on her shoulders. Working tirelessly to change the world in her own right, Ms. Greene is the hope and dream of countless men and women of African descent who silently contributed to the pages of history. As a result of the efforts of the likes of Mrs. King and Rosa Parks, Aurelia's contributions to this nation have not gone unnoticed.

For her unyielding spirit, and willingness to serve others, I ask that my colleagues join me in paying tribute to Ms. Aurelia Greene and in honoring the great women upon whose shoulders she stands.