RECOGNIZING CO-OP CITY

On 2026-06-10, Representative George Latimer (D-NY-16) delivered a floor speech titled "RECOGNIZING CO-OP CITY" in the House.

RECOGNIZING CO-OP CITY

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 98 (Wednesday, June 10, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 98 (Wednesday, June 10, 2026)] [House] [Pages H4059-H4060] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] RECOGNIZING CO-OP CITY (Mr. Latimer of New York was recognized to address the House for 5 minutes.) Mr. LATIMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the men and women who lead the essential grassroots organizations of Co-op City in the Bronx, the many building association presidents who are elected by and represent the many shareholders in each of the 35 buildings that comprise the complex, which is the largest housing cooperative in the United States. Each building rises as high as 33 stories with up to 500 units in those complexes. The building association boards organize annual activities and advocate on behalf of the residents. They organize around holidays and special events, such as back to school, Halloween, and Christmas. They conduct fundraisers to provide money to enhance common areas. They form a group to lobby for overall improvements in the complex, as well as their buildings. The civic life of Co-op City begins with these volunteers. Let me mention just a few of the most active individuals who head their respective buildings: Building 13, Leslie Peterson; Building 6, Lauren Lassiter; Building 28, Idalia Reyes; Building 27, Aaron Carnegie; Building 26, Tanya Cruz-Cooke; Building 2, Al Quattlebaum; Building 8, Tremaine O'Garro; Building 9, Linda Collins; Building 35, Carol Arthur; and Building 33, Tobias Garcia. There are many more to celebrate. From the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, we salute all the Co-op City building association presidents for their commitment of time and effort on behalf of their neighbors. honoring ruth hinerfeld Mr. LATIMER. Mr. Speaker, our home area lost an impressive woman last month, Ruth Hinerfeld of Mamaroneck, at age 95. Ruth, a Massachusetts native, made her life and legacy in Westchester with her husband, Norman. A Vassar graduate with three children and two grandchildren, Ruth was a pillar of the local League of Women Voters and rose to national prominence as the national League of Women Voters president in 1978. Ruth had direct involvement with the national Presidential debates in 1980 with Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan. She was appointed to various national boards, such as the U.S. Advisory Committee for Trade Negotiations and the Overseas Development Council. She maintained voluntary involvement with Common Cause, UNICEF, the Municipal League, and the Council on Foreign Relations. Ruth was always gracious and warm to the people she dealt with, both locally and nationally. Ruth Hinerfeld had a life well-lived. From the floor of the House of Representatives, we salute the life and times of Ruth Hinerfeld. recognizing village of irvington Mr. LATIMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the outstanding programs provided by the village of Irvington that benefit the senior citizens of that community. Under the able leadership of senior coordinator Joan Armstrong, in the senior center on Bridge Street, the Irvington seniors serve hundreds of seniors annually with a daily nutrition program at lunchtime weekdays each week, and activities and programs to engage seniors of all ages. There are fitness classes, from tai chi to chair yoga; mental fitness programs; and a variety of board games, mah-jongg, bridge, along with the classic senior staple, bingo. Joan and her talented crew host annual events for Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, Halloween, and a host of celebrations. There are day trips planned [[Page H4060]] to shopping locales and tourist sites, as well. The programs are supported by the village board under the leadership of Mayor Arlene Burgos and Village Administrator Charles Hessler. From the floor of the House of Representatives, we salute the work of the Irvington seniors, the active and energetic members who show that age is more a state of mind. ____________________