Tribute To The Reece School Of New York City

TRIBUTE TO THE REECE SCHOOL OF NEW YORK CITY -- (Extensions of Remarks - September 29, 2006)

SPEECH OF HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY OF NEW YORK
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2006

* Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the Reece School of New York City, which has been dedicated for 58 years to serving children who are intellectually capable but emotionally fragile and vulnerable. The oldest such special-education school in Manhattan, the Reece School has grown in size and stature from its founder's home to a new facility on the Upper East Side. On October 26, it will recognize a significant donation by officially naming its state-of-the-art building.

* The Reece School was established in 1948, in the home of Ellen Reece, as a response to the needs of children who were incapable of functioning in a traditional school setting. Today, it serves 90 students, from Manhattan and all 5 boroughs, who reflect the diverse communities of the City of New York. They represent middle- and lower-income families who care deeply about their children's future but lack the ability to pay privately for services beyond those offered by the school community. These families depend on Reece for the intellectual and emotional support that allows their children to progress and function as independently as possible, They rely on Reece for services that many other special-education schools are unable to provide.

* Over the years, the Reece School has grown out of Ellen Reece's home, out of its longtime Carnegie Hill location, and into a new home at 25 East 104th Street. For years, it has worked hard to be an integral part of its community. It has made its space available to several community groups, and has partnered with several community agencies and public schools to help improve the quality of life of Reece students and, in fact, of all children in the community.

* Thanks to a $12 million loan through Industrial Development Agency Bonds, Reece was able to emerge from its somewhat-cramped Carnegie Hill quarters and into a facility of unprecedented size and technology in July 2006. On October 26, the Reece School will officially name its new building the Elise M. Besthoff Building of the Reece School.

* Mr. Speaker, I ask that my distinguished colleagues join me in recognizing the outstanding contributions to the children and families of New York City made by the Reece School.

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