12 The Queens Courier • tribute • july 4, 2013 for breaking news visit www.queenscourier.com ▶tribute to helen marshall Committee and stood up to proposed CUNY cuts by then-Mayor Rudolf Giuliani. Long before that, however, she was an early childhood educator and an active PTA member. She carried her work as a teacher into her years of public service and into Borough Hall. Marshall was also the first executive director of the Langston Hughes Library. “One of the things I have been working at for a long time is the schools,” she said. “We wanted to make sure that we had a seat for every child. We have so many children and we can’t let any of them go without an education. And so that’s a very big investment.” A large part of that policy has been fighting for funding for libraries — and building new ones. An example Rosa drew upon is the new Far Rockaway branch of the Queens Public Library, an $18 million project completely funded by Marshall’s office. While libraries offer a slew of educational programs for all ages, Rosa said Marshall believes them to be a center for growth in communities. The library, which will replace the one currently on Mott Avenue, will be a boost as the area attempts to establish itself as a commercial strip, Rosa said. “This is a real shot in the arm,” she said. “Especially along Mott Avenue, where we’re trying to do some economic development. We do this not only for the sake of the library, but also to supply some economic support to the community.” Marshall’s fight for libraries has been recognized by the Centers for an Urban Future, which cited her work in its publication Branches for Opportunity. “Queens has succeeded in large part because the libraries have been a priority of local elected officials, especially the borough president,” said the Centers for an Urban Future. “Over the last decade, Borough President Helen Marshall has steered more money toward library projects in her borough than the other four borough presidents combined.” Rosa said Marshall fought for parks and cultural institutions with the same idea of community in mind. Marshall credits her predecessor, former Borough President Claire Shulman, for laying the ground work of the cultural scene. Running with Marshall with Tom Finkelpearl, executive director of the Queens Museum of Art. (Right) The three-term Beep has also fought hard for senior centers, often the subject of budget cuts.
QC07042013
To see the actual publication please follow the link above