In Recognition of Philip Christopher and Caryn Schwab on the Evening of the Charles J. Vallone Scholarship Dinner Dance

IN RECOGNITION OF PHILIP CHRISTOPHER AND CARYN SCHWAB ON THE EVENING OF THE CHARLES J. VALLONE SCHOLARSHIP DINNER DANCE -- (Extensions of Remarks - April 20, 2004)

SPEECH OF
HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY
OF NEW YORK
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
TUESDAY, APRIL 20, 2004

Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Philip Christopher and Caryn Schwab, who will be honored at the 2004 Charles J. Vallone Scholarship Dinner Dance. For the past seven decades, the Charles J. Vallone Scholarship Fund has helped deserving young people from the Astoria community attend the college of their choice. Additionally, each year, the Scholarship Fund acknowledges community members who have made outstanding contributions to the public good.

This year's honorees, Philip Christopher and Caryn Schwab, certainly deserve our appreciation. Ms. Schwab, the Executive Director of the Mount Sinai Hospital of Queens, has been a tireless and effective advocate for the health care priorities of New York residents for more than twenty years. During her distinguished career, Ms. Schwab has served as Health Care Advisor to New York City Mayor Ed Koch and as Vice President of the Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center. Under her direction, the Mount Sinai Hospital of Queens has demonstrated its commitment to community service. Ms. Schwab has presided over the expansion and modernization of Mount Sinai's emergency room and the creation of its new endoscopy and mammography facilities; additionally, during her tenure, the Hospital has greatly expanded its inpatient and outpatient services to those in need.

The Scholarship Fund's second honoree, Philip Christopher, is a philanthropist and champion of democracy and human rights. Mr. Christopher is the CEO of Audiovox Communications Corporation. Under his leadership, Audiovox has become a leader in the telecommunications industry.

Mr. Christopher, a native of Cyprus, immigrated to the United States when he was ten years old. Following the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974, his ancestral home and property were confiscated by the Turkish Army. This tragedy inspired Mr. Christopher to become a passionate advocate for human rights. As President of both the Pancyprian Association of America and the International Coordinating Committee for Justice for Cyprus, Mr. Christopher has used most of his free time to fight for the liberation of his homeland. Additionally, Mr. Christopher serves on the Board of Directors of the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association and is a member of the Board of Directors of the New York Hospital Medical Center of Queens, where he helped found the Kyrenia Cardiovascular Center.

Mr. Speaker, I request that my distinguished colleagues rise and pay tribute to the Charles J. Vallone Scholarship Fund and its honorees, Caryn Schwab and Philip Christopher. Their many accomplishments are a reflection of the vibrant and thriving community they so faithfully serve.