■CELEBRATION TIME TO CELEBRATE Former City Council Speaker Peter F. Vallone Sr. got a surprise birthday party to remember at City Hall, where his family gathered with hundreds of friends and colleagues to unveil his official portrait. Vallone, who served nearly three decades in the Council representing Astoria, turned 80. Joining Vallone on Dec. 9 were Mayor de Blasio, former Mayor David Dinkins, Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, Public Advocate Letitia James and former Council Speaker Gifford Miller. One of the most widely respected city officials in recent years, Vallone was the first member of the Council to hold the post of speaker, which made him the second most powerful elected official in the city from 1986 until he stepped down from the Council at the end of 2001 when term limits went into effect. “I want to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart for making tonight such a special night for my family and especially for my father, Peter F. Vallone, Sr. It was incredible to see so many of my father’s friends, family and former colleagues join us in celebration of his 80th birthday as well as the unveiling of his portrait in City Hall,” said Councilman Paul Vallone, who along with former Councilman Peter F. Vallone Jr., has followed in his father’s footsteps in the Council. After singing “Happy Birthday,” Vallone’s portrait was unveiled in the members’ lounge, where it will hang for years to come. “To Mayor Bill de Blasio, Speaker Melissa Mark- Viverito, Mayor David Dinkins, Public Advocate Letitia James, Speaker Gifford Miller and all of Photo courtesy of Councilman Paul Vallone’s office my colleagues in the City Council, I thank you for speaking so highly of my father and of the work he was able to accomplish during his time as speaker. Happy birthday, Dad!” said Paul Vallone. Vallone presided over the Council as its powers and size were expanded following the revision of the City Charter that ended the old Board of Estimate. The lifelong Democrat also played a central role in establishing the Safe Streets, Safe City program along with Dinkins that added 7,000 officers to the NYPD during the worst crime wave in city history. The program, funded by a temporary tax surcharge that has since expired, was a major success and played a role in the historic drop in crime. Since his retirement, Vallone has practiced law and taught political science. Former Council Speaker Peter Vallone’s portrait unveiled for his 80th birthday Peter F. Vallone with his wife and family
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