LaGuardia Community College - LaGuardia Yearbook (Long Island City, NY)

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Marie LaGuardia Remembered 1895-1984 The college mourned the loss of a very special friend on September 22nd with the death of Mrs. Marie LaGuardia of a heart attack in her Riverdale home. She was 89. This small, spirited woman - who as Mayor LaGuardials wife lived near the center of one of the most turbulent periods in New York Cityls political history - was remembered, however, in more personal Mayor Koch, who proclaimed November 1cm LoGuordio Community Lollege , . Week Mrs Morie LoGuordiol 0nd PIESIdenIShenkercurnbbontormolly terms as a iigentle and humble woman during a h - l l b ild' . - dedlcomg' e OW comps 9 mm L ' 9 memorial semce on September 25th. Those words, spoken by former Mayor John Lindsay in his eulogy before some 40 people in Christ Church in Riverdale, echoed similar expressions of affection from a wide circle of friends in private gatherings and in press reports in the days following her passing. ttThis was a woman who was more than just a friend of ours? Mayor Lindsay said. ttShe was a friend. as well, to many of the causes and concerns which touched directly the lives of the people of this great city. ltMrs. LaGuardia honored us with her presence in support of a wide array of programs the college has developed? said President Shenker, who also attended the service. uEven with her failing health and her many obligations, she was always available to help in any way she could. This wonderful lady was truly part of the col- lege community, and she will be greatly missed. In November, 1981, she participated in the colleges tenth anniversary celebration, joining Mayor Edward Koch and President Shenker at ceremonies officially dedicating the college's main building. In addition, at the time of her death, she was serving as honorary eo-chairperson of a major fundraising effort set for February. Her most enduring contribution to the college. however, may well be her gift in Fall, 1982, of an extensive, personal collection that she and her husband had accumulated, primarily during the years he served as mayor. The collection, which included thousands of documents, photographs, and other historical records, established the LaGuardia Archives and Museum at the college. Her energies were directed toward philanthropic endeavors, becoming an active volunteer for the March of Dimes, the Muscular Dystrophy Association, and agencies that dealt with fertility. She was also a participant in a variety of activities at the college and elsewhere in 1982 during the city-wide celebration of the 100th an- niversary of her husbandls birth. iers. LaGuardia's was a life lived both in and out of the spotlight, commented Archives Director Lieber- man. gHer life must remind us of the significant, but hidden. role women have played in the history of New York City? Reprinted from ttPerspectivesP a LaGuardia PUblication, Winter 1984. Mrs. LoGuordio 0nd rhe statue of Fiorello H are the center of orremion L to R . Premdem Shenker, Mrs LoGuurdwo Nenl Estern ond Mayor Koch 19

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Fiorellois Unique Vision Fiorello H. LaGuardia was born on December 11, 1882, in New York City. He was elected Mayor of New York in November, 1933 and took office on January 19, 1934 and served three terms as Mayor, leaving office in 1945. Mayor LaGuardia was a very influential political leader. His idealism and unique vision led to the building of the first public housing for low income American families. New York had a tremendous demand for housing since immigrants from Europe reached its peak during . the final decade of the nineteenth century when over 8.5 En route to ocnont Moyor LoGuordio reeds one of voluminous letters from New million Europeans entered the country. Most of them, Yorker, of course, came through the port of New York during depression years. In 1933, President Roosevelt proposed the New Deal, and Mayor LaGuardia obtained a commitment of federal money to build housing, and urged The New York State Legislature to pass the law, creating the New York Housing Authority to do the job. Congress declared that there should be an opportunity for decent public housing for low-income American families in suitable environments. The Roosevelt Administration on January 4, 1934, granted 25 millions in loans to the duly constituted New York City Housing Authority for low-cost housing projects to provide and promote public health and safety by the elimination of unsanitary and dangerous housing conditions and to relieve congested areas by re- conditioning, remodeling, and re-constructing model apartment buildings. Mayor LaGuardia insisted on ample windows, a unique feature for housing of this kind during this early period. On December 3, 1935, Mayor LaGuardia dedicated the First Houses at Avenue A and Third St. It was a very windy, cold day right on the East River. ttThey said it would be a cold day when government built housing; well, its a cold dayJ' Mayor LaGuardia said at the dedication ceremony. The first housing project in the U.S.A. created apartments for 12 families in eight buildings at an average rental of $6.05 per room per month. From 1936 to I944 fourteen permanent operating projects were completed all around the C ity, from the First Houses in lower Manhattan with 123 apartments to the huge Fort Greene complex in Brooklyn with 3,501e apartments. There were still 16 permanent projects under or pending construction. some of which were tem- porary Veterans Emergency Projects. Governor Cuomo and Mayor Koch even today follow basically the LaGuardia plan and method to rehabilitate or to build new housing in urban areas. For his enormous contributions to American families, Mayor Fiorello H. LaGuardia will always hold a place in our hearts and in the minds of earnest political l candidates. The son heorr dons a hard her and work gloves or a housing construction site

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20 F ACULTY 8: STAF F I ' '- 4 2 . Susan S. Armiger Deon of Exrerno! Affoirs, Labor Relations and Personnel Horry Heinemonn Deon of Cooperonve Educorion