Former Congressman Gallagher speaks at SPC for Guarini Lecture Series
On March 29, the Honorable Cornelius “Neil” E. Gallagher hosted a discussion on “Privacy in America” as part of The Guarini Lecture Series at Saint Peter’s College.
With his family, members of the college community, and special guest former Rep. Frank Guarini H ’94 in attendance, Gallagher – a native of Bayonne and veteran of World War II who went on to represent the 13th Congressional District of New Jersey from 1959 to 1973 – spoke about his endorsement for a right to privacy in America, personal battle with J. Edgar Hoover over the expansion of governmental powers, individual experiences with presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson, and various roles in office during his time in Congress. In addition to his participation at the event, Gallagher also donated personal memorabilia to the college’s Frank J. Guarini Center for Community Memory, which houses the Saint Peter’s College archives, rare books and special collections, and personal papers of New Jersey U.S. Reps. Frank J. Guarini and Dominick V. Daniels.
“At 91 years young, Congressman Neil Gallagher continues to fight The Privacy Wars,” said Nicholas Chiaravalloti, Bayonne resident and executive director of the Guarini Institute for Government and Leadership at Saint Peter’s College, who said he hopes the lecture given by Gallagher motivated those in attendance to research the topic and formulate their own opinions on the debate.
Bayonne Girl Scouts recruiting new leaders
The Girl Scouts of Bayonne are looking for a few good volunteers to help round out the local troop leadership. Volunteers are needed to assist in running troops at each of the various program levels. Girl Scouts serves girls from kindergarten to high school in six different programs by hosting meetings and activities that expand the girl’s horizons and help build leadership skills and confidence.
There are over 230 girls active in 18 troops throughout the community. The annual program includes events like ice skating, movie day, dances, badge events, camping, Craft-O-Rama and cookie sales. The girls are encouraged to serve the community and help others through civic service. Troops have made veterans’ donations, supported local food pantries, and worked for cancer awareness. Girl Scouts provides a safe and fun environment where girls can join with their peers and be themselves while making new friends, learning new things and serving the community.
Volunteers interested in supporting the program are encouraged to attend a meeting at the Richard Korpi Ice Rink behind Bayonne High School on Wednesday, April 25 at 7 p.m. where they can learn about the program and the various opportunities to make a difference in young girl’s lives.
Call Lisa Cerbone at (201) 339-1845 or Jean Styles at (201) 858-2296 for more information.
American Dream Celebration will honor three distinguished immigrants
An award-winning Latin jazz musician and the chief executives of two U.S. companies will receive American Dream Awards at the International Institute of New Jersey’s annual American Dream Celebration on April 26 at Liberty House Restaurant in Jersey City.
The American Dream Awards are presented to outstanding immigrants in recognition of their contributions to American society in business, government, the arts, education and culture. This year’s distinguished recipients are:
Paquito d’Rivera, a jazz musician and native of Cuba. He received two Latin Grammy awards in November 2011, adding to the nine Grammy and Latin Awards previously awarded to him.
Shazi Visram, Jersey City resident, was born in Canada to parents originally from Pakistan and Tanzania. She is founder and CEO of HappyFamily Brands, a producer of organic food, primarily for babies and toddlers.
Farooq Kathwari, a native of Kashmir, the chairman, CEO and president of Ethan Allen Interiors Inc., a leading home furnishings manufacturer and retailer.
“Our honorees personify the American Dream. They are model citizens and are an inspiration to the newly arrived immigrants and refugees we serve,” said Catherine Tansey, the International Institute’s executive director. “Many of the people we serve come from countries where they faced repression and even torture. They face special challenges in adapting to their new home in America. We help them overcome these challenges and become productive members of American society.”
The International Institute, based in Jersey City, has been serving immigrants and refugees since 1918. Its services include teaching English as a second language, legal assistance, counseling, refugee resettlement, job training and placement, translation and interpretation.
The Institute has a twofold mission: to help newcomers to America become productive members of society and to help communities respond to the needs of a changing population.
“The American Dream Celebration highlights our efforts to enhance public awareness of the contributions of immigrants and refugees to America’s social, economic and cultural development,” said William Armbruster, chairman of the Institute’s Board of Directors.
d’Rivera currently serves as artist-in-residence at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. His most recent awards are for his album “Pan American Suite.” Other award-winning albums include “Brazilian Dreams” and “Portraits of Cuba.”
Born in Havana in 1948, d’Rivera played in the Cuban National Symphony Orchestra and co-founded the Orquesta Cubana de Musica Moderna. He defected to the U.S. in 1980. In 2005, he received the National Medal for the Arts, presented at the White House by President George W. Bush. He has also been honored by the Kennedy Center, the International Association for Jazz Musicians, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Kathwari is a recipient of the U.S. Government’s Outstanding American by Choice Award. It recognizes outstanding achievements by naturalized U.S. citizens through civic participation, professional achievement, and responsible citizenship.
He has been a guest on business and public affairs programs on PBS, CNBC, Bloomberg Television, Fox Business News and MSNBC and has spoken at many public forums on business and international relations. Kathwari is a director and former chairman of the Board of Directors of Refugees International and a director of the International Rescue Committee.
Visram’s vision for convenient, healthy meals for babies and children, combined with her entrepreneurial talent and her desire to make a difference in the world, led to the creation of HappyFamily Brands in 2003.
Visram, a resident of Jersey City, received the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award in 2011. She and her company have been the subject of numerous articles in the press and are featured in a nationwide commercial for the American Express Gold Card.
The American Dream Celebration will be held at Liberty House Restaurant at Liberty State Park in Jersey City on April 26. Tickets are $200 for individuals and $2,000 for a table.
Information about the International Institute, tickets and sponsorships is available at http://iinj.org/.
Additional information can be obtained from Catherine Tansey at (201) 653-3888, extension 113, or ctansey@iinj.org, or visit http://iinj.org/.