[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 13] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page 19513] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]HONORING WAKEFIELD TAXPAYERS & CIVIC LEAGUE 100TH ANNIVERSARY ______ HON. ELIOT L. ENGEL of new york in the house of representatives Monday, December 23, 2013 Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, citizens groups are the backbone of a democracy, banding together to make their lives, their neighborhoods, their country a better place. I am privileged to have one such extraordinary group in my district, the Wakefield Taxpayers and Civic League, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary. It was formed in 1913 to ``maintain the integrity of the community'' and is one of the oldest such organizations in New York City. The League involves itself in improving their community by, for example, getting the outer walls of P.SW. 1 repaired; getting the retaining wall abutting a playground on Carpenter Avenue, in danger of falling, fixed; advocated successfully for the closing of `topless' bars in a residential neighborhood; initiated a study to change zoning regulations that allowed motels to be built in residential areas; and fought illegal construction and illegal rentals in two- and three- family homes. The League maintains a lively and deep interest in politics and I have appeared before them many times seeking their endorsement, as have any other person seriously seeking to represent them. Wakefield is a beautiful community because its residents work hard to keep it so. The League works closely with the District Attorney's Crime Assistance unit and has a Wakefield Civilian patrol to deter crime. It has stopped crimes in progress, alerted the Fire Department to fires, and saves lives by bringing medical attention to accident scenes. The Wakefield Taxpayers and Civic League is a model of what citizens can accomplish by working together in their neighborhoods. I am proud to be associated with them and congratulate them for 100 years of building and maintaining a model community. ____________________