Recognizing Marie Silvestri's 100th Birthday

Floor Speech

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Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Marie Silvestri, a remarkable person who is about to celebrate her 100th birthday. Marie was born on May 17, 1924, in Brooklyn, New York, to Maria and Leonardo Restivo, immigrants from Sicily, Italy.

Marie met her husband, Maurice, who was best friends with her brother, in her mother's kitchen. Maurice served in Europe during World War II, and he joined the NYPD upon his return. Marie and Maurice were married in 1949 until he passed away in 2009, just short of their 60th anniversary. They had 3 daughters.

In 1962, Marie and Maurice moved their family from Brooklyn to Mahopac, New York, where, together, they opened a successful real estate and insurance brokerage firm, Fawn Agency, serving Putnam and Westchester counties in New York. She went on to serve as a sales director for Robert Martin Corporation, a large land and housing developer, in White Plains, New York. After retirement in the 1970s, they resided in New York, Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Englewood, Florida.

In addition to her 3 daughters, Marie is the proud grandmother of 8 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. They are the light of her life, and they adore her. Marie also likes to read and play cards, and she lives an independent lifestyle despite her age. She is an inspiration to all who know her.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my esteemed colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives to please join me in extending our heartfelt congratulations, sincere well-wishes, and all of God's Blessings to Marie Silvestri on the celebration of her 100th birthday.

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