for breaking news visit www.queenscourier.com JUNE 20, 2013 • The queens Courier 43 Photo Courtesy of Queens Public Library The White House honored Jennifer Manley for her work with the Queens Public Library. WOMAN IS ‘CHAMPION OF CHANGE’ JENNIFER MANLEY RECOGNIZED BY WHITE HOUSE BY MELISA CHAN mchan@queenscourier.com A Queens Library leader won a national honor last week for being a “Champion of Change” for cultural institutions in her community. Jennifer Manley, the vice president of government and community affairs for the Queens Public Library, was one of 12 people in the nation this year to be recognized as an advocate for museums and libraries. “Manley believes in the power of information and education to improve lives, one at a time, neighborhood by neighborhood,” the White House said in a statement. The 62 branches of the Queens Public Library circulate more than 13 million items and see more than 13 million visitors a year. It has become a leader in providing services to immigrants, who make up half of the borough’s population, library and White House officials said. “Jennifer’s work embodies what this program is all about — recognizing leaders who make a difference in their communities,” said Congressmember Steve Israel. “Queens Borough Public Library is fortunate to have leaders like Jennifer who contribute so much to the excellence of the institution.” Congressmember Joseph Crowley called Manley a “staunch advocate” for libraries. He said she “works hard to preserve this invaluable resource for the people who need it most.” The Champions program gives accolades to individuals and groups who do “extraordinary things to empower and inspire members of their communities,” the White House said. “Jennifer has been a tremendous asset to the Queens Borough Public Library,” said Congressmember Grace Meng, “and this award exemplifies the outstanding work she’s done to make a difference throughout the many communities of Queens.” CANCER SURVIVORS CELEBRATE ‘AFFIRMATION OF LIFE’ BY JOHAN HAMILTON editorial@queenscourier.com Janet M. said she was filled with hope. At the annual Cancer Survivors’ Day, hosted by the North Shore-LIJ Health System, she was surrounded by others winning the fight for their own lives. Janet, who was diagnosed with cancer two years ago, joined the nearly 2,700 guests at the Monter Cancer Center on Saturday, June 8, where Harry Belafonte was keynote speaker. “My journey as an artist has THE COURIER/Photo by Johann Hamilton rewarded me with so much,” he Harry Belafonte, right, with North Shore LIJ chair Richard Goldstein. said. “Not just the opportunity to sing and perform, but to be engaged in civilization’s hunger for truth and to be more committed to that truth. Life’s all about putting things in perspective, HONORS PRESENTED AT LAW DAY CELEBRATION The New York State Court Of Appeals hosted its annual Law Day Celebration on Wednesday, May 1. Queens resident Tracy Catapano-Fox (Chief Clerk of Queens Supreme Court, Civil Term) received the merit performance award for superior work performance. Catapano-Fox is an expert on residential foreclosures. She helped establish the state’s first residential foreclosure settlement conference at the Queens court, with the goal of keeping people in their homes. The merit performance award is the Unified Court System’s highest award. Pictured with Catapano- Fox is Hon. Jeremy Weinstein (Administrative Judge for Civil Matters, Eleventh Judicial District). and that’s what I do.” Belafonte, a cancer survivor himself, praised the attendees for winning their respective battles with cancer. He ended his speech with some of his famous songs. “I think this event is an affirmation of life,” said Daniel Budman, co-director of the North Shore-LIJ Cancer Institute. “Being diagnosed with cancer is horrible, but as medical research progresses it doesn’t necessarily mean there’ll be a horrible outcome.” “It used to be just a diagnosis and a sorry, but lots of these diseases are treatable now,” he added. Other speakers included oncologist and breast cancer survivor Monica Melville and North Shore- LIJ Health System chair Richard Goldstein. He described the audience not as survivors, but people who thrive on life. “When I look around and see thousands of survivors, it gives me a feeling of hope,” said Janet. “I want to be able to come here one year as a survivor just like them.”
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