E388 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks April 2, 2018 HONORING WILLIAM H. lowing Julian’s tragic passing in 2005, Betsy she became Permanent Representative of Ire- ROBERTSON joined the WJC Board. Betsy co-chairs and land to the from September works annually with her sons Michael and 2009 to 2013. Anne was appointed as the first HON. ELIOT L. ENGEL David to coordinate the Julian Y. Bernstein female Ambassador of Ireland to the United OF NEW YORK Distinguished Service Awards, honoring mem- States by the Irish Government. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ber organizations and their dedicated leaders Anne has had a remarkable career, and this who have enriched our Westchester commu- year is being honored at the Annual Yonkers Monday, April 2, 2018 nity. St. Patrick’s Day Parade Dinner Dance. She is Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to Betsy is a founding committee member of most deserving of this wonderful recognition honor a symbol of American integrity in our the Council’s Leadership Development Insti- and I want to congratulate her on receiving community, William H. Robertson. Mr. Robert- tute, and has served on numerous other this honor. son celebrated his 90th birthday on Saturday, Council committees over the years. Betsy and f March 10, 2018. her husband, Keith Satter, are members of Bill Robertson was born to Henry and Mae both the Jewish Community Center in Harrison HONORING LOUIS A. PICANI Robertson on February 29, 1928, in Bronx, and Congregation Beth El in Norwalk, CT. New York. He grew up in Edgewater Park in Betsy has served as a JCCH trustee and HON. ELIOT L. ENGEL the Bronx, and attended P.S. 72 Elementary Keith currently serves as JCCH President. OF NEW YORK School and Evander Childs High School. Outside of her WJC commitments, Betsy IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES After graduation from high school in 1946, founded the Bernstein Research Group which Monday, April 2, 2018 Bill followed in his father’s footsteps and provides marketing research and consulting joined the electrician’s union, the IBEW, Local services to help companies identify ways to Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to 3. He was deeply involved in community serv- make products and services better fit users’ honor a true community servant, a long-time ice, including social and athletic events spon- needs. She earned her MBA from the distin- pillar of labor organizations in my district, and sored by the Edgewater Athletic Association. guished Wharton School of the University of a good friend, Louis A. Picani. This year, Lou Bill was also an organizer of the annual Pennsylvania and a BA from Goucher College is being honored with the MPAC Trailblazer Edgewater Labor Day festivities, a unifying in Towson, MD. award by MPAC at their Third Annual Gala event for the Bronx. This year, WJC is honoring Betsy at their land I too would like to honor him on the occa- Answering a call to duty, Bill enlisted in the 42nd Anniversary Gala for all of her incredible sion. U.S. Army in September 1950. After com- work to make the WJC community stronger. Louis A. Picani has been a dedicated Union pleting his Basic Training at Fort Devens, They could not have picked a more deserving member since he joined Teamsters Local 456 Massachusetts, he returned home on leave, honoree. Congratulations to Betsy on receiv- over 30 years ago. Starting in 1992, he was and married his long-time sweetheart, Helen. ing the wonderful recognition, and I thank her appointed Shop Steward for the City of Yon- Bill was deployed to serve in the Korean con- for all her hard work. kers Department of Public Work. Lou was flict as a member of the 7th Regiment, 3rd In- f elected as a Teamsters Local 456 Trustee and fantry Division. He served proudly in difficult appointed as a Teamsters Local 456 Business combat engagements, and was wounded in HONORING ANNE ANDERSON Agent in 2005. Lou was also elected Grand July, 1951, though he returned to the battle- Marshall for the annual City of Yonkers Co- field for the duration of his enlistment. Bill was HON. ELIOT L. ENGEL lumbus Day Parade, in recognition of honoring awarded the Purple Heart, the Korean Service OF NEW YORK Italian-American Heritage. Medal, and the United Nations Service Medal. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES In 2016, Lou was elected President and Principal Officer of Teamsters Local 456. He He was given his Honorable Discharge from Monday, April 2, 2018 the U.S. Army on June 26, 1952. Bill’s love of serves as Vice President of the Westchester country never wavered, and to this day, he is Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, as Ranking Mem- Putnam Central Labor Body. For many years, an active member of the Veterans of Foreign ber on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Lou has been a member of Joint Council 16’s Wars. I have the pleasure of meeting many different New York Teamsters Political Action Com- In 1963, the Robertsons moved to Crest- Ambassadors from across the globe, and mittee. He is also a licensed drug and alcohol wood, Yonkers, where Bill found new ways to today I would like to recognize one who is counselor. Lou has spent his entire career as contribute He was an active member of the being honored this week in Yonkers. a visionary, fighting for workers’ rights, fair Annunciation Parish and the Hillcrest Lakers Anne Anderson, the 17th Ambassador of wages and benefits, workplace safety, and the Community Club. He taught, coached, and Ireland to the United States, was born in right to organize. helped run a men’s softball league, and was Clonmel, in July 1952. She Lou’s history of Union involvement has been president of a bowling league in the Bronx. graduated from University College Dublin with an inspiration and the breadth of the roles he In 2009 Bill and Helen moved north to York- a Bachelor of Arts degree, and from King’s has served is a testament to his personal town Heights, New York. He is now enjoying Inns, where she earned a Diploma in Legal commitment to helping others. MPAC could retirement with his wife of 67 years, and his Studies. Anne joined the Irish Department of not have chosen more of a Trailblazer to wonderful family, including his 10 grand- Foreign Affairs in 1972. She was Third Sec- honor than Lou, and I want to congratulate children. retary and then First Secretary in the Depart- him on receiving this wonderful recognition. Bill is an inspiration to us all and it is my ment’s Economic Division from 1972 to 1976. f honor to recognize him. Congratulations to Later, Anne moved to where she was HONORING MICHAEL KARNES him, and I want to wish him a very happy First Secretary of Ireland’s Permanent Mission birthday. to the United Nations from 1976 to 1980, in- cluding a six-month assignment in . f HON. ELIOT L. ENGEL She was also First Secretary of the Political OF NEW YORK HONORING BETSY BERNSTEIN Division of the Department of Foreign Affairs IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES from 1980 to 1983. HON. ELIOT L. ENGEL In 1985, Anne was appointed Permanent Monday, April 2, 2018 OF NEW YORK Representative of Ireland to the United Na- Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I want to take a IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES tions, where she served till 2001. While there, moment to recognize a key member of the she was named as chair of the United Nations Westchester Jewish Council community, Mi- Monday, April 2, 2018 Commission on Human Rights from 1999 to chael Karnes, who has been instrumental in Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise to acknowl- 2000, the fourth woman to earn the honor. WJC’s growth for the last 26 years. edge a pillar of the Westchester Jewish Coun- She moved on to to act as Perma- Michael joined the Board of WJC at the urg- cil community who has been instrumental in nent Representative of Ireland to the Euro- ing of a good friend in 1992. He has served WJC’s success now for many years, Betsy pean Union from 2001 to 2005, where she as a board member, Secretary and most re- Bernstein. was named Diplomat of the Year by European cently as Treasurer of the Council. Michael is Betsy’s involvement with WJC began when Voice. Anne was then named Ireland’s Am- a lifelong member of Temple Beth Abraham in her husband, Julian, took some time out of his bassador to France from July 2005 to 2009, Tarrytown, where he celebrated his Bar Mitz- day to get involved in the community. Fol- then moved from Pans to when vah. Michael has gone on to become the

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:03 Apr 03, 2018 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A02AP8.005 E02APPT1 SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with REMARKS April 2, 2018 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E389 youngest president in the 118 year history of of WJC for nine years—four years as an offi- Pete Potocki, who this year are celebrating the the congregation and has the distinction of cer on its Executive Committee, and for the 25th Anniversary of the organization they being the only person to have had the privi- past six years as the ever-enthusiastic Event founded, The Danny Fund, at the organiza- lege of serving as president three times. Chair for the annual Westchester Jewish tion’s annual 2018 Valentines Ball. Michael has also served on the Executive Music and Arts Festival. The Potocki’s were home in Pelham on De- A native of New Haven Connecticut, Gary Board and Board of Governors of the JCC on cember 10, 1992 when their 4-1/2 year-old the Hudson, now known as the Shames JCC graduated from Boston University and Emory son, Danny, was diagnosed with a rare form on the Hudson. He continues to serve as a University School of Law. Gary also serves on of leukemia. A blood and donation drive was voluntary arbitrator in the New York City Civil the Board of Hillels of Westchester, is a past organized with the help of the Pelham Civics Court Small Claims Division. president of the Pelham Jewish Center, and and other organizations to help Danny in his And perhaps most importantly, during his serves on the Advisory Board of Project fight, and over 100 people donated blood and first term as President of Temple Beth Abra- T.E.N., International Israel & Diaspora ‘‘Jewish platelets. Danny successfully fought the dis- ham, Michael met Jane Rubin, whom along peace Corp,’’ under the auspices of the Jew- ease and today lives a full life with a daughter with her two sons, Alan and Gary, he wel- ish Agency. Gary is also a founding partner of in 2nd Grade in Pelham. The Pelham commu- comed into his life. With the addition of Kudman Trachten Aloe LLP, a mainly com- Marissa to the family, Jane and Michael have mercial law film where he focuses on employ- nity’s response to help Danny was tremen- become the proud grandparents of Ellie, ment law. dous, and laid the groundwork for what was to Judah, and Sam. His passion for his family is Outside of work and community service, come. truly his driving force. Gary’s great passion is family. He and his After Danny returned home and began kin- This year, WJC is honoring Michael at the wife, Evelyn, live in New Rochelle where they dergarten at Colonial School, it was learned organization’s 42nd Anniversary Gala for all raise two children, Jseof and Sofie. As Con- that other Pelham children were ill and their his dedication and hard work to their commu- gressman who represents New Rochelle, I am families needed help. So Kathy and Pete, in nity. He is a most deserving honoree, and I proud to call the Trachtens my constituents. association with the Knights of Columbus, want to congratulate him of the occasion. This year WJC is honoring Gary at their started to organize The Danny Fund, a 100 f 42nd Anniversary Gala for all his fine work on percent volunteer organization that provides fi- behalf of the community. They have made an nancial, emotional, and advocacy support for HONORING GARY TRACHTEN excellent choice of an honoree. Congratula- the families of children suffering from a cata- tions to Gary on this wonderful occasion. strophic illness or injury. The Danny Fund HON. ELIOT L. ENGEL f adopts a family for the long haul and provides OF NEW YORK ongoing support as it is needed, for as long as HONORING KATHY AND PETE IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES it’s needed. POTOCKI Monday, April 2, 2018 The Danny Fund has done some amazing Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor an HON. ELIOT L. ENGEL work, and this year the organization will be individual who has selflessly given to the OF NEW YORK honoring Kathy and Pete at the Valentine’s Westchester Jewish Council community for IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Ball for their incredible dedication and work. I many years, Gary Trachten. too would like to honor and congratulate them Deeply inspired by his late parents ‘‘Moishe’’ Monday, April 2, 2018 on this well-deserved recognition, and thank and Shirley Trachten, Gary heard the call to Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to them for all of their contributions to our com- community service. He has been on the Board honor pillars of Pelham community, Kathy and munity.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:03 Apr 03, 2018 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A02AP8.009 E02APPT1 SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with REMARKS