[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 18 (Tuesday, January 30, 2007)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E210] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] IN RECOGNITION OF LITTLE MISSIONARY'S DAY NURSERY ON THE OCCASION OF ITS THIRD ANNUAL SARA CURRY BENEFIT AWARDS ______ HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of new york in the house of representatives Tuesday, January 30, 2007 Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the Little Missionary's Day Nursery, the oldest continuously operating non- sectarian school in New York City. Founded in 1896 by Miss Sara Curry, the Little Missionary's Day Nursery is dedicated to providing affordable day care in a warm, nurturing environment in which children of diverse socioeconomic, ethnic and religious backgrounds are encouraged to take their first steps in embracing lives inspired by the values of a sound and well-rounded education and a spirit of sharing and caring. The Little Missionary's Day Nursery has remained true to the progressive dream of its visionary founder, Sara Curry, a remarkable, energetic, and accomplished woman who dedicated her life to improving conditions for the underprivileged children and families of Manhattan's Lower East Side. Then, as now, ``Loisaida'' was a haven for immigrants from all over the world, many enduring conditions of severe deprivation and adversity. Practically a century ahead of her time, Sara Curry grasped the need for many mothers to secure quality, affordable day care in order to enter and stay in the work force to support their economically struggling families. In fighting narrow-minded contemporary strictures against working women that were then prevalent, Sara Curry--and the Day Nurseries that she founded--helped provide an engine of opportunity that allowed countless families to lift themselves out of poverty while inculcating values of learning and compassion in their children. In recognition of her indefatigable and effective stewardship of the institution, Miss Curry was lovingly dubbed the ``little missionary'' by grateful parents and supporters. And, to honor her more than four decades of compassionate and visionary stewardship, the institution was renamed the Little Missionary's Day Nursery in her honor. In 1901, the nursery purchased its own building at 93 St. Mark's Place, which has remained its home ever since. Today, under the capable leadership of Director Eileen Johnson and Board President Herman Hewitt, the Little Missionary's Day Nursery continues to serve the families of the Lower East Side, dedicating a portion of its income to providing generous tuition assistance. This year, the Little Missionary's Day Nursery is honoring three outstanding individuals at its third annual Sara Curry Awards Benefit. The honorees include the renowned Gloria Steinem, the inspirational writer, lecturer, editor, and women's activist who has become an international symbol of the struggle for women's equality and dignity. An equally deserving honoree of the nursery this year is the dedicated public servant, the Honorable Margarita Lopez, a champion of the Lower East Side and its historic progressive values, who represented this incredibly diverse and exciting neighborhood with distinction for two terms on the New York City Council before assuming a position of citywide leadership as a member of the Board of the New York City Housing Authority. The third honoree is Ms. Margaritte Malfy, the remarkably accomplished chef and restaurateur. In addition to her accomplishments as an artist and as the co-owner and co-executive chef of La Palapa Cocina Mexicana, Ms. Malfy has dedicated her prodigious energies to many worthwhile causes that benefit the people of the Lower East Side, and indeed around the world, including human rights and children's organizations such as Art/NY, the Nepalese Children's Home in Nepal, and, of course, the Little Missionary's Day Nursery. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Little Missionary's Day Nursery and its three remarkable honorees this year as well as the tremendous contributions this outstanding educational and child care facility and its graduates have made to our Nation. ____________________